RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Nov.16: Both Maoists and police are in action mode and chalking out strategies to take on each other after the arrest of Maoist political bureau member Prashant Bose with his wife and four other Maoists.
As a part of strategy Maoist Anal, known by different alias including Patiram and Tufan besides others, carrying a reward of Rs one crore on his head, has handed over the charge of Parasnath to Krishna and Veersen after taking it from Ajay Mahto, who has been transferred to Saranda.
Sources said: “After the arrest of political bureau member and notorious Maoist leader Bose, Maoists realised their strategic mistake and in order to correct the same they have started taking measures. Maoists felt that due to pressure from police it had become difficult for them to chalk out any strategy and implement them successfully. They also realised that their guerrillas are not willing to fight and prefer remaining at their homes hiding their firearms in the forest. Some of them have even surrendered. Thus now they have started taking action to regain their lost ground.”
Like Maoists police are also in alert mode. In the wake of the changing situation after the arrest of Bose and bandh call by Maoists on November 20 to protest against the arrest, instructions have been given to police officials posted in Maoist affected areas to remain extra alert.
“As many as 28 places of Singhbhum including Patamda, Bodam, Ghatshila and localities sharing the border of West Bengal are sensitive. Police officials of the area have been asked to be alert. They have been asked to become extra cautious in case they see any tree lying on the road, Maoist posters hanging somewhere and someone passing information of any offence in sensitive areas,” a police official said.
“Police officials have been asked not to be in a hurry to remove posters and banners placed by Maoists as those can be traps. There are possibilities of explosives near the banner. Similarly, sometimes Maoists send information regarding petty offences and as the police rush to the spot, they trigger landmines blast on the way leading to spot” the police official said.
Apart from being alert, police have also started identifying and arresting those supplying arms and ammunition to Maoists.
In this exercise, the anti-terrorist squad (ATS) of the state today arrested three including a CPRF personnel involved in supplying arms and ammunition to extremists. The CRPF jawan arrested is Avinash Kumar, who was recruited in Mokama Group Centre on August 24, 2018 and then posted at 112 Battalion and 204 COBRA battalion while other two are Rishi Kumar and Pankaj Singh. As many as 450 rounds of ammunition were recovered from their possession.
A West Singhbhum source said Maoists are almost on the verge of extinction in Saranda as several camps of security personnel have been established in the area.
“Saranda forest is just being used as a corridor for movement. Barring one or two incidents to mark their presence, Maoists avoid carrying out any operation there. Manoharpur, Goelkera and Sonua are little sensitive but alertness of police has weakened the left-wing extremism,” sources said.
“Barring Asim Mandal alias Akash carrying one crore award, Ram Prasad Madi carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakh on his head, women Maoist Bela Sarkar carrying Rs 15 lakh award on her head and Saraikela Biren Singh carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh on his head, there is no major challenge before the police,” the source said.
