The Jharkhand Police has once again brought pride to the state with its remarkable achievements in anti-Naxal operations.
Fourteen police officers and personnel, including IPS officers Amol Venukant Homkar and Michael Raj, have been awarded the Union Home Ministry’s Medal for Excellence in Service. The medals were announced on the occasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary on Friday.
The medal is conferred each year by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to recognize exceptional service in specialized operations, investigations, and forensic sciences. This year’s honours notably highlight Jharkhand’s success in counter-insurgency efforts against Naxalite groups.
Those who received the medal include IPS officers Amol Vinukant Homkar, Michaelraj S., Indrajeet Mahatha, Surendra Kumar Jha, and Manoj Swargiary, along with Deputy Commandant Mithilesh Kumar, Sub-Inspectors Jitendra Kumar and Mantu Kumar, and constables Dinbandhu Shekhar, Paras Kumar Verma, Vikas Karmakar, Bhagirath Rajwar, Shivanandan Hansda, and Ajay Mehta.
The honour comes as recognition for the major anti-Naxal operation launched in January 2025, which culminated in a historic encounter in April. In that operation, eight Maoists, including a top rebel carrying a bounty of Rs 1 crore, were neutralized. It was the first time in Jharkhand’s Naxal history that such a large number of insurgents were eliminated in a single coordinated action.
The operation, led by senior IPS officers, including then IG (Operations) Amol Homkar, was conducted across Jhunjhunu, Parasnath, and Lughu Pahar regions. Earlier in January, police forces had gunned down two Maoists in Lughu Pahar while also arresting Ranvijay Mahato, a wanted cadre carrying a Rs 15 lakh reward. The success in April marked the culmination of two months of intense planning, intelligence gathering, and field execution.
The medals stand as a testament to Jharkhand Police’s strategic capability and unwavering resolve in combating extremism. The Union Home Ministry’s recognition not only boosts morale but also underscores the national importance of Jharkhand’s role in maintaining internal security.