A dreaded extremist of the state and second in rank of Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee(TSPC), Mukesh Ganjhu surrendered himself in front of the Chatra Police on Thursday morning, sources said.

Ganghu was carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakh on his head at the time of his surrender and was being sought after by central agencies like the National Investigation Agency for a terror funding case.

Wanted in several states including Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha and Chattisgarh, the extremist leader was behind the killing of a Chatra scribe, among many other crimes. He was accused in dozens of cases including murder, rape, extortion, abduction and gunbattle with police, an officer said on condition of annonimity.

The incident comes four days after superintendent of police Rishav Kumar Jha had released the list containing the names on whom the state government had announced reward, with Ganghu being featured on it. Jha had warned all the extremists in the list to surrender or get ready for police action. Sources said his surrender was seen as an outcome of increased police pressure.

The police officer said that Ganjhu’s surrender is being seen as a big achievement for the police, while it is a major blow to the Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee.

Ganjhu was responsible for looking after all affairs of the outfit, and was the second man after its supremo Brajesh Ganjhu. Both of them had together constituted the outfit in 2004.

ASP (operations) Nigam Prasad and sub-divisional officer Avinash Kumar are leading the interrogation of the leader at the Mayurhand Police Station at the moment to get vital information about the group, its members and regarding the arms they possess.

While officers, including Jha, refused to speak on the issue, the police are likely to announce Ganjhu’s surrender officially on Friday.