What Happened
- Eight cadres of the Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC), a banned Maoist splinter group, were arrested in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district under the jurisdiction of the Urimari outpost.
- Acting on a tip-off, security forces conducted the operation; seized items include two INSAS rifles, one country-made pistol, 130 cartridges, a four-wheeler, and seven mobile phones.
- The arrested Naxals were operating under directions of TSPC self-styled zonal commander Bhikhan Gajhu and sub-zonal commander Dinesh alias Ravi Ram.
- During investigation, it emerged that the arrested cadres were involved in a firing incident at Patratu, Ramgarh district, on February 12, 2026, during an extortion attempt.
- The arrest was made by Sadar SDPO (Sub-Divisional Police Officer) forces.
Static Topic Bridges
Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC) — A Maoist Splinter Group
The Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC), also referred to as the Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC), is a banned left-wing extremist organisation operating primarily in Jharkhand. It emerged as a splinter group from the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) of India in 2002.
- Formation: 2002, when non-Yadav cadres broke away from the MCC due to perceived Yadav caste dominance in MCC leadership. The TPC/TSPC's base largely comprises Mahto, Ganjhu, Bhogta, Oraon, and Kharwar communities.
- Area of influence: Chatra, Palamu, Latehar, Hazaribag, and Ramgarh districts of Jharkhand.
- The TSPC has declared the CPI (Maoist) as its primary enemy — the two groups have engaged in violent clashes, including an incident in Palamu (2014) where CPI (Maoist) killed 16 TSPC members.
- The TSPC is banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.
- Despite being ideologically Maoist, the TSPC is often characterised more as a criminal extortion network than a purely ideological insurgency — it targets contractors, businessmen, and coal transport in the region.
- INSAS rifle (used by TSPC cadres): Indian Small Arms System — standard issue rifle of the Indian Army and paramilitary forces, indicating procurement through theft or raids on security personnel.
Connection to this news: The arrests in Hazaribag under Urimari outpost represent ongoing counter-LWE (Left-Wing Extremism) operations in Jharkhand's Red Corridor — disrupting TSPC's extortion network and local command structure.
Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in India — Framework and Status
Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), also called Naxalism or the Maoist insurgency, has been India's most significant internal security challenge since the late 1960s. The movement draws from the ideology of Charu Majumdar and the 1967 Naxalbari peasant uprising in West Bengal.
- The MHA's LWE Division coordinates national counter-LWE strategy.
- Red Corridor: Historically spanned Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh — significantly reduced by 2025.
- At peak (2009–2010), LWE affected 223 districts; by 2024, significantly reduced to fewer than 90 districts.
- The National Policy and Action Plan (2015) covers police modernisation, development, and rights-based approaches.
- Key legislation: UAPA, 1967 (banning organisations, defining terrorism, detention); CrPC Section 144 (prohibitory orders in affected areas).
- Ministry of Home Affairs reports annual reduction in LWE-related violence since 2010; 2024 data shows significant reduction in Naxal-affected districts.
- Special Central Assistance for LWE districts: Roads (PMGSY), connectivity (mobile towers), financial inclusion (banking correspondents) as part of "SAMADHAN" doctrine.
Connection to this news: The Hazaribag arrests are part of ongoing SAMADHAN-based counter-LWE operations in Jharkhand, which continues to be one of the core LWE-affected states despite the overall national reduction in violence.
UAPA — Legal Framework for Banning Extremist Organisations
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (amended significantly in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2019) is the primary law governing terrorist and extremist organisations in India.
- Section 2(p): Defines "unlawful activity" — any act intending to cause disaffection towards India, or support for cession/secession.
- Section 3: Central Government can declare an association "unlawful" by notification; reviewed by an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal (a High Court judge).
- Section 6: Tribunal confirms or cancels the declaration within 6 months after giving affected parties a hearing.
- UAPA 2019 amendment: Allows designation of individuals (not just organisations) as terrorists.
- Schedule to UAPA: Lists all banned organisations — includes CPI (Maoist), TSPC/TPC, SIMI, and others.
- UAPA allows detention up to 180 days without chargesheet (30 days for initial custody, extendable by court), subject to judicial oversight.
- NIA v. Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali (2019 SC): Held that courts must accept the prosecution's case prima facie at bail stage in UAPA matters — setting a high bar for bail.
Connection to this news: The eight TSPC cadres were arrested under UAPA (since TSPC is a banned organisation under the schedule) in addition to relevant IPC/BNS provisions for arms possession and extortion — the UAPA's stringent bail conditions will apply.
Key Facts & Data
- Organisation: Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC/TPC) — banned under UAPA
- District of arrest: Hazaribag, Jharkhand (March 23, 2026)
- Cadres arrested: 8
- Arms seized: 2 INSAS rifles, 1 country-made pistol, 130 cartridges
- Other items seized: 1 four-wheeler, 7 mobile phones
- Commanders directing operations: Bhikhan Gajhu (zonal) + Dinesh alias Ravi Ram (sub-zonal)
- Prior incident linked: Firing at Patratu, Ramgarh, February 12, 2026 (extortion bid)
- TSPC formation year: 2002 (split from MCC)
- Primary area: Chatra, Palamu, Latehar, Hazaribag, Ramgarh districts (Jharkhand)