RANCHI, July 30 -- In a major boost for the security establishment in the ongoing anti-Naxal operations in Jharkhand, Misir Besra, a politburo member of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), carrying a bounty of over Rs.2.2 crore and wanted in 175 cases, was arrested in Dhanbad district on Tuesday, officials said on Wednesday. Besra, 65, known by several aliases, including Bhaskar and Sagar, was arrested along with his two close associates in Maniadih area under Barwadda police station limits around 9.30 pm on Tuesday. The arrest occurred during 'Operation Daura Pahad,' a joint operation of Cobra-9, the Intelligence Bureau, and Jharkhand police, while Besra and his associates were travelling in a small transport vehicle, officials said. Hailing the arrest as a 'historic' moment for state police, DGP Tadasha Mishra said with Besra's arrest, the Maoist menace had been 'almost wiped out' from the state. Besra, a resident of Madnadih village in Giridih, was the only active top-ranking CPI (Maoist) politburo member who was still functional, the DGP said. "The top Maoist carried a combined bounty of Rs.2.20 crore, announced by the Jharkhand and Odisha governments. He was wanted in 175 cases across Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. This is a historic moment. Many Maoists have either been neutralised, surrendered or have been arrested. The menace has almost reached its end," Mishra said. According to the security establishment, CPI (Maoist) central committee member Asim Mandal is the only functionary of the Naxal group still at large. "We have specific information about his whereabouts. He will also be in the net soon," the DGP said....