Gumla block is a CD block that forms an administrative division in the Gumla subdivision of Gumla district, in the Indian state of Jharkhand. History Gumla became a subdivision of Ranchi district in 1902 and it became a separate district in 1983. Simdega district was carved out of Gumla district in 2011. Subsequently, Gumla district was divided into three subdivisions – Gumla Sadar subdivision (with Gumla, Ghaghra, Bharno, Bishunpur, Raidih and Sisai blocks), Basia subdivision (with Palkot, Basia and Kamdara blocks), and Chainpur subdivision (with Chainpur, Albert Ekka (Jari) and Dumri blocks). Maoist activities The Maoist insurgency started spreading around the mid-1990s and poses a big challenge to peace and development of the district. It “is involved in abduction, extortion, extortion killings.” The banned organisation is active largely in the eastern part of the district mainly in Kamadara, Basia, Palkot, Gumla, Raidih, Sisai and Bharno police stations. In order to counter the activities of the insurgents, arms, ammunition and security equipment have been provided in every police station. It includes bullet-proof and landmine-proof vehicles. Geography In the southern portion of Gumla district, there are flat topped hills called pat, with an elevation ranging from 2,500 feet to 3,000 feet. The pat region is spread across Bishunpur, Chainpur and Ghaghra CD blocks. The highest areas are Netarhat pat (3,356 ft), Lamiti pat (3,777 ft) and Galgat pat (3,823 ft). The rest of the district occupies a part of the Ranchi Plateau with an average elevation of 2,300 feet. Three major rivers flowing through Gumla district are North Koel River, South Koel River and Sankh River. Gumla CD block is bounded by Ghaghra and Sisai CD blocks on the north, Basia CD block on the east, Palkot and Raidih CD blocks on the south, and Chainpur CD block on the west. Gumla CD block has an area of 528.77 km2.Gumla police station serves Gumla CD block. The headquarters of Gumla CD block is located at Gumla town. Demographics Population According to the 2011 Census of India, Gumla CD block had a total population of 213,620, of which 157,119 were rural and 56,501 were urban. There were 107,917 (51%) males and 105,703 (49%) females. Population in the age range 0–6 years was 34,928. Scheduled Castes numbered 8,741 (4.1%) and Scheduled Tribes numbered 122,290 (57.2%). The only census town in Gumla CD block is (2011 population figure in brackets): Gumla (51,264) and Toto (5,237).