RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Sept.14: Generating possibilities at the face of challenges, the Jharkhand Police have now started paving path to ensure proper development of villages which are on and around the Burha Pahad on the Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh border, the same destination which remained under the control Maoists for more than three decades depriving its residents of the light of modern development.
IG (operation) A.V.Homkar informed this to Lagatar 24.com in an exclusive interview after getting success in driving out Maoist top guns from Burha Pahad carrying out series of small operations before launching a final assault plan on September 3 under operation Octopus with the help of CoBRA battalion of CRPF besides special assault group of Jharkhand Police, Jharkhand Jaguar other than police personnel of the Jharkhand police in Garhwa and Latehar.
“Burha Pahad was a place where Maoist top guns used to operate. It was the same place where Maoists used to recruit and train their cadres for their posting across Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh and other parts of the country. It was the place where Maoists leaders like Praveen, Arvind, Pramod Mishra, Mrityunjay, Marcas Barla and other special area committee members used to stay and control their cadres at Saranda, Parasnath, Chakrabanda and trijunction of Khunti, Chaibasa and Seraikela. We are now planning road construction and other allied activities, which remained inaccessible even for security personnel for a long time,” Homkar said.
“Apart from electrification and water supply arrangement we are planning television connectivity, medical care facility, academic work and sports activities in the area to ensure that the villagers, who remained away from their ancestral place for decades due to fear of Maoists can return and lead a normal life,” I.G (operation) Homkar, added.
During operation the security personnel not only destroyed Maoists’ bunkers but also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition besides items of daily use of at least 50 top Maoists who had fortified themselves by planting IEDs in difficult terrain surrounded by steep hills, rivers with bridge and forests full of snakes and other wild animals. There is possibility of return of Maoists in case proper arrangement is not made to ensure proper security to the place.
Thus asked I.G(operation) Homkar regarding the steps he had taken to ensure proper safety of the area, he shared the steps taken.
“So far the camps of security personnel have been successfully established with the help of villagers and baby steps have been taken towards development by organising medical camps, sports activities, installation of TV sets and establishment of temporary community halls. Villagers have also started financial activities by selling milk, vegetables, fruits and other edible items to the camps of security personnel and it is expected that within six months the place will be accessible for all and one can see how an area which remained under the control of extremism gets converted into an ideal place under the supportive supervision of security personnel,” Homkar said.
“As far as security arrangement is concerned to keep Maoists at bay, camps of security personnel have been established at strategic locations including Behra Toli, Tisia, Nawatoli and Jhagubeda, the top most location of the Burha Pahar which is spread in Latehar and Garhwa of Jharkhand besides localities of neighbouring Chhattisgarh state,” Homkar maintained.
Support of villagers during the developmental activities
“The villagers extended all co-operations. During operations they helped set up generators in the accessible area and construct a temporary bridge with the help of hume pipes. In fact, without their support it was not possible for us to get such a big success. After the operation also they are coming as a great help for us,” Homkar said.
Asked Homkar how come the security personnel could make such a big achievement, he shared a few details.
“First, the supply line of Maoists was disconnected and the network Maoists was using to get arms and ammunition was destroyed. During the destruction of the supply chain, some security personnel were caught and now the NIA is doing a probe into the matter. We also made Maoists financially weak by arresting some of its cadres associated with frontal organisations. Arrest of Prashant Bose and Sheela Marandi and surrender of Maharaj Pramanik came as a great help for us. The latest arrest of Rupesh Kumar Singh, who used to claim himself a journalist, also helped us,” Homkar said.
“The Operation Double Bull also remained helpful. During the operation we could stop the supply of money from the mining area to Maoists. Killing of Budheswar Oraon, a Maoist carrying a bounty of Rs 15 lakh on his head also remained helpful,” Homkar said.
Asked what next, Homkar refused to share. “It will be shared at an opportune moment,” he said.