Varanasi, September 20 (Daily Kiran) : The death of Brijesh Ganjhu, also known as Gopal Singh, a prominent commander of the banned Naxalite organization, the Third Conference Presentation Committee (TSPC), occurred during a police encounter in Varanasi on Sunday morning. This incident signals the end of a significant chapter of fear in Jharkhand, where Ganjhu had long been a wanted figure. Several key commanders of the TSPC have already been arrested or killed in encounters, leading security agencies to increase surveillance on the group’s leadership and remaining network.
Ganjhu was under the radar of Jharkhand’s security agencies for years. The state government had placed a bounty of ₹2.5 million on him, while the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced a reward of ₹500,000 due to his involvement in terror funding investigations. Allegations against the TSPC include extortion from coal businesses, transportation, and contracting operations. Following Ganjhu’s death, authorities are now focusing on the remaining members of the organization and its financial sources.
Security agencies are working to identify active members associated with the TSPC and understand their financial and logistical networks. In the wake of Ganjhu’s demise, Shashikant Ganjhu from Kedal village in the Palamu district has emerged as a key active commander. The Jharkhand government has placed a bounty of ₹1 million on him, and he is also wanted by the NIA. Police records indicate that he has multiple cases registered against him in various districts, including Palamu, Chatra, Latehar, Garhwa, and Hazaribagh.
Since 2010, Shashikant has successfully evaded capture during several encounters with security forces. He managed to escape a confrontation in September 2025 in Kedal, which resulted in the deaths of two police officers. Security agencies have noted that he is often armed and frequently changes his hideouts. Previous investigations have also highlighted superstitious elements associated with Shashikant. The Kedal area and its surroundings are considered his stronghold. Recently, Nathu Singh, a TSPC affiliate who was released from jail, has reportedly come into contact with him. Many other prominent TSPC commanders have either been arrested or killed in clashes with security forces.
In light of Ganjhu’s death, the TSPC faces the challenge of uniting its remaining cadre and maintaining its old network. Conversely, security agencies are gathering information to dismantle the organization’s remaining structure by targeting its active members and contacts. In Uttar Pradesh, the activities of TSPC-affiliated commanders remain under close scrutiny. In 2025, TSPC commander Nagina, who escaped from security forces in Palamu, was captured in Varanasi. During interrogation, connections to Shashikant and information regarding movements in Uttar Pradesh were revealed.
Following Ganjhu’s death, the Jharkhand police, NIA, and other security agencies are now focused on Shashikant and the remaining network of the TSPC. The challenge for security forces is to disrupt the TSPC’s remaining cadre, weapons, contacts, and sources related to extortion and terror funding.
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