A self-styled zonal commander of banned outfit Jharkhand Prastuti Committee (JPC), who killed the driver of a coal-laden truck last month, has been arrested, police said today.
Ajay Kumar, a 22-year-old truck driver, was shot dead by JPC member Nirbhay on the intervening nights of July 14 and 15 when he was transporting coal from NTPC'S Pakri Barwadih project in Barkagaon to a dumping siding at Katkamdag area of the district.
Nirbhay alias Karan was arrested on Monday night from Salaiya area of the district, on the Jharkhand-Bihar border, Superintendent of Police Mayur Patel said.
"With Nirbhay's arrest, the Hazaribag Police made a major breakthrough in the murder of 22-year old driver Ajay Kumar, who was killed for not paying up extortion money to the JPC," he said.
The arrested JPC member has confessed before the investigating team that he shot Kumar, Patel told reporters.
"Nirbhay unleashed a reign of terror in the coal belt after taking over the reins of JPC from former head Dashrath Yadav three months ago. He has been realising extortion money from coal-producing companies and road-construction contractors of the district," he said.
Two firearms, five live cartridges, 13 SIM cards, two cell phones have been recovered from Nirbhay's possession, the officer said, adding that the JPC member was also wanted in other criminal cases in Chatra, Ramgarh and Koderma districts.