In a major breakthrough for Jharkhand Police, Martin Kerketta, the top leader of the outlawed People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI), was shot dead during an encounter late Tuesday night in the dense forests of Parhi-Chhangabari in Gumla district.
Kerketta, who had a reward of Rs 15 lakh on his head, had long been under police surveillance. Sources within the department revealed that he had taken charge of the PLFI after its former head, Dinesh Gope, was apprehended in Nepal. The two shared a deep bond, having grown up together and studied at the same school, later collaborating to strengthen the insurgent outfit.
Calling it a major setback for the PLFI—considered a splinter faction of the banned CPI (Maoist)—senior police officials stated that the encounter occurred after intelligence indicated Kerketta's presence in the region. He was reportedly there to extort money from a local trader. Acting on the input, a team led by SDPO Nazir Akhtar was sent to intercept him. When confronted, Kerketta and his associates opened fire on the police. In the retaliatory gunfire, Kerketta was shot dead on the spot.
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“We have recovered two firearms from the location,” said the Superintendent of Police, adding that Gumla police played a central role in the operation. Officials suspect that two other PLFI members may have sustained injuries during the shootout. A combing operation is currently underway to locate them.
Previously, Dinesh Gope—who had a bounty of ₹25 lakh—was arrested in Nepal in a coordinated operation carried out by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Jharkhand Police. Following his capture, Kerketta rose to the position of PLFI’s chief.
Hailing from Redma village in Kamdara, Kerketta was an influential figure within the group’s central committee. He was instrumental in planning extortion rackets, enforcing threats, and overseeing armed operations. His criminal network was primarily centered on extracting money under the PLFI banner.
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