Palamu Maoist violence: Palamu, Garhwa and Latehar once faced severe Maoist violence on roads. Today, stronger security and major highway projects are improving night travel, markets, housing and development across the region.
For many years, roads in Palamu, Garhwa and Latehar were linked with fear and Maoist violence. People often avoided travelling after dark because armed groups could stop vehicles, call shutdowns or attack security forces.
More than 60 security personnel were killed in Maoist-related attacks on roads across these three districts since 2004, according to police figures cited in the report. The three districts have around 4.5 million residents.
The area was once part of the Maoists’ so-called Red Corridor. Many highways and village roads passed through forests where Maoist groups could hide and launch attacks. Police records also show that Maoist activity had been a long-running security problem in Palamu.
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During the worst years, residents were often unwilling to travel after 4 pm. Maoist groups regularly announced shutdowns and warned people not to use roads. Vehicles that broke these orders were reportedly attacked or set on fire.
Between 2004 and 2020, the three districts saw more than 235 shutdowns. More than 40 security personnel were killed in attacks during this period, while over 60 vehicles were damaged in attacks and shutdown-related incidents, according to figures cited in the report.
Several routes became known for repeated attacks. These included Daltonganj-Ranchi, Daltonganj-Mahua Dand, Daltonganj-Aurangabad, Chhatarpur-Japla, Panki-Balumath and Ranka-Bhandaria.
Landmines were also used heavily by Maoist groups. In Palamu, such activity was reported from the early 2000s, with police also recovering landmines and explosive material during operations.
“Conditions have changed now. It is possible to travel easily at night in any part of the Palamu division. Earlier, people did not dare to travel on the roads after dark. One of the biggest changes over the past decade is that people can now travel at night. Markets have started coming up along the roads, and people are building houses as well,” said Sandeep Paswan, a resident of Pipra in Palamu.
After 2014, police launched a road security plan across the division. Security forces identified places where Maoists had earlier attacked vehicles or carried out ambushes.
Police pickets and security camps were created at several vulnerable points. More personnel were placed on important routes and vehicle checking was increased. Three police pickets were set up on the Palamu-Ranchi road, while additional camps came up on rural roads. By 2018-19, Maoist control over important highways had weakened considerably. Authorities said that by 2023-24, Maoist influence had been eliminated from roads across the Palamu division.
“Left-wing extremism in Jharkhand is moving towards its end. To a large extent, the Palamu division has become secure. National and state highways are also completely secure. The police and security forces have played an important role in this. Vehicles can now operate at any time,” said Kishore Kaushal, DIG, Palamu.
He said safe roads and proper law and order are important for the growth of any area. The government has also used surrender policies along with security operations to weaken Maoist squads.
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Better security is now being matched with major road projects. NH-39, earlier known as NH-75, is being upgraded into a four-lane highway on the Ranchi-Mudisemer route. NH-139, earlier NH-98, is also being developed and will improve the connection between Palamu and Aurangabad in Bihar.
The Bharatmala project is bringing another major change. A four-lane Ranchi-Varanasi highway is being developed through Palamu. Another four-laning project is planned to connect Palamu with the GT Road at Aurangabad in Bihar. Construction work is already visible at several locations. Better roads are expected to make travel easier and may also support markets, housing and industrial activity.
Palamu MP Vishnu Dayal Ram has also pushed for better connectivity and industrial growth. Several state highways have been selected for conversion into national highways, with central funding planned for their development.
“The Ranchi-Varanasi National Highway being developed under the Bharatmala project will bring about one of the biggest changes. Transportation is a major factor in transforming any region. Once connectivity improves, industrial development will follow,” said Vishnu Dayal Ram, MP, Palamu.
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