Police form new cell to monitor contract killers
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Patna: In the wake of a recent surge in killings by shooters, including high-profile murders like that of businessman Gopal Khemka and advocate Jitendra Mehta in Patna, Bihar Police Headquarters (PHQ) on Wednesday announced the formation of a special "Contract killer monitoring cell" to tackle professional hitmen.
Additional Director General (ADG) of PHQ Kundan Krishnan said the new cell, formed under the Bihar Special Task Force (STF), will maintain a comprehensive database of approximately 350 known contract killers, with their physical descriptions, addresses and other crucial details. "This database will aid in the quick identification of suspects through CCTV camera footage analysis, a method that has proven successful in recent cases," he said.
The move is expected to enhance the police's ability to prevent and solve such crimes through better intelligence gathering and interstate coordination.
The police have already established a "Kodha cell" to monitor the Kodha gang, whose operations extend beyond Bihar. The gang members primarily originate from three to four villages in the Kodha block of Katihar district. The cell helps other state police forces identify the Kodha gang members.
"Our intelligence unit, working with the Kodha Cell, has successfully solved 50 cases this year alone, both within Bihar and in other states, leading to the arrest of 70 criminals and recovery of more than Rs 55 lakh in criminal proceeds," said Krishnan.
Additionally, in a significant breakthrough in an ongoing anti-Maoist operations, the Bihar STF arrested 82 Maoists this year till July 15. Besides, two wanted Maoist leaders, including Ravan's aide and spokesperson Akhilesh Singh, have surrendered.
The continuous campaign has achieved a remarkable success in north Bihar, where their presence is completely eliminated.
In Magadh zone, only one wanted Maoist Nitesh Yadav remains at large, currently believed to be hiding in the hilly regions of Palamu district in Jharkhand. The JB zone reports only three armed Maoists remaining, the ADG said.
"The campaign has also dealt a significant blow to the Maoists' financial resources by destroying opium cultivation fields in the Magadh region, severely disrupting their supply network," Krishnan added.
During various raids, security forces recovered significant arms and ammunition, including two semi-automatic rifles and 67 PMK (machine gun).
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