Maoist commander dies in gun battle with rival faction in Jharkhand India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Self-styled commander of a Maoist group, Pradeep Ganju, died in a gun battle late on Saturday night with a rival faction in Beeyarjunga village in Latehar district of Jharkhand. Ganju, commander of Jharkhand Prastuti Committee (JPC), was killed while battling the rebels from the rival Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC). "We were returning after celebrating Diwali at night. At around three O’ clock we heard gunshots, we didn't know what had happened. When we came here we saw what happened," said Phudo Devi, Pradeep Ganju''s sister. The police also reached the site upon getting information. Reportedly, there are around eight Maoist groups operating in Jharkhand, which clash quite often with each other over command of the areas to extort levy from the locals. Maoists have ignored repeated calls to renounce violence and negotiate across the table. So much so, they have stepped up their attacks in recent past months, prompting the government to go after them in a concerted strike.