KUMUD JENAMANI
Jamshedpur, March 13: Amid an atmosphere of fear prevailing in the Maoist stronghold Kolhan forest division, the police and paramilitary forces on Sunday organised Maghe Parab at two CRPF camps in the remote areas under Goelkera thana area in West Singhbhum.
The paramilitary forces arranged the Maghe Parab, an important tribal festival, to instil confidence among the villagers who are compelled to lead their life in areas filled with IEDs planted surrounding their villages.
During the occasion, the police donated a ‘mander’ (a traditional tribal drum) and other instruments to the villagers for making the celebration a success. The villagers, including a large number of women, were also provided food at the venues after a traditional group dance participated by the paramilitary jawans also.
Significantly, as the CPI-Maoist rebels have planted innumerable numbers of IEDs across the Kolhan forest division and adjoining Porahat forest division, the police and paramilitary forces organised the tribal festival at two of the nine camps set up there.
It may be mentioned here that a big squad of naxals, including some top rebel leaders, have entered into the twin forest divisions in the past three months and have planted explosive devices all around. Police and paramilitary forces are trying to flush out the rebels by carrying out anti-insurgency operations since January 11.
As of now, three villagers have been killed in the IED blast and 15 paramilitary jawans are injured.
