NIA's 'Most Wanted' list seems to prioritize Maoists over terrorists
What's the story
On Saturday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) released a list of its most wanted fugitives, urging the public to provide it with tips about fugitives' whereabouts. Interestingly, the list, which has several names of Pakistan-based, internationally recognized terrorists, does not place a bounty on their heads. Instead, the NIA seems to be more keen on nabbing Maoist leaders by offering bounties. Here's more.
Twitter Post
The NIA releases its 'Most Wanted' list on Twitter
NIA need your help in locating fugitives. If you have any information, please call at 011-24368800 or mail at assistance.nia@gov.in
— NIA India (@NIA_India) October 20, 2018
Your identity shall be kept secret. Help us in making India safer. Here is the list of most wanted in NIA cases.https://t.co/S7hB56H3Lm
List
The list features heavy-hitters like Hafiz Saeed, Syed Salahuddin etc.
The list includes names of 258 fugitives, with most belonging to terror outfits and wanted for "terror activities", "training militants" or "planting explosive devices" in India. The list also features heavy-hitters like LeT chief Hafiz Saeed, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin, and 26/11 mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, none of whom have a bounty on their heads. Notably, 98 fugitives have Interpol Red Corner Notices against them.
Maoists
Maoist leaders have the highest bounty on their heads
Despite Maoists making up a small percentage of the list, they're on top in terms of bounties being offered for information on 57 people in the list. The maximum bounty being offered by the NIA is Rs. 15 lakh for information on the whereabouts of Maoist leader Mupalla Lakshman Rao, alias Ganapathy. His potential successor, Nambala Keshav Rao, carries a Rs. 10 lakh bounty.