Kolkata, September 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday congratulated the Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police for arresting senior CPI (Maoist) leader Asim Mandal, alias Akash, Timir and Manoj, from Patashpur in Purba Medinipur district.
Mandal, who was identified by police as a Central Committee member and Secretary of the CPI (Maoist) West Bengal State Committee-I, was apprehended during an operation in the Lalat area of Patashpur, according to the police.
Adhikari praised the Kolkata Police STF for tracking down Mandal, who had allegedly remained underground and evaded law enforcement for more than 15 years across the forested regions of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha.
“I commend the Officers and Personnel of the Kolkata Police STF in successfully tracking and apprehending Asim Mandal @ Akash, Central Committee Member and Secretary of the West Bengal State Committee-I, CPI (Maoist), from Lalat, Patashpur, Purba Medinipur,” the Chief Minister said in a social media post.
Adhikari also said the state government would not tolerate attempts to revive or expand Maoist networks in West Bengal, stating that the law would take its course against extremist activities.
Police sources said two bags containing Maoist literature, including books and booklets, along with electronic communication devices, were recovered from Mandal following his arrest.
A reward totalling Rs 2.20 crore had been announced for information leading to his capture, with Jharkhand offering Rs 1 crore and Odisha Rs 1.20 crore, according to reports.
Mandal is a native of Fulchak village under Chandrakona Police Station in West Midnapore district. According to security agency records, he became involved in Left-Wing Extremist activities during his student years in the 1980s and later joined the People’s War Group.
He subsequently operated in the Sarenga and Goaltor areas of West Bengal as well as Gurabanda in Jharkhand’s East Singhbhum district. Security agency records indicate that nearly 55 serious criminal cases are registered against him across West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha, including cases related to attacks on security forces and armed encounters in Jharkhand.
Mandal was also associated with the Lalgarh movement in West Bengal’s Jangalmahal region and was appointed Secretary of the CPI (Maoist) West Bengal State Committee in 2010. He later held responsibilities in the Bengal-Jharkhand-Odisha Regional Committee.
Following the 2011 encounter killing of senior Maoist leader Kishanji, Mandal largely remained underground, according to police sources.
Police and security agencies have been maintaining focus on the forested and tribal belts spanning West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha as part of ongoing efforts against Left-Wing Extremism. Mandal’s arrest is being described by officials as an important development in those operations.
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