THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, March 12: Security of the Kutku water reservoir, popularly known as Mandal Dam, has been prioritised by the police in the Palamu range, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Kishore Kaushal said on Thursday.
In a brief interview with The Jharkhand Story Network, the DIG spoke about security arrangements around the dam, organised crime networks, the Naxal situation and drug trafficking in the region.
Security Reinforcements Planned Around Mandal Dam
Responding to a question about the security of the dam project, Kaushal said a new police picket-cum-camp will be set up within the next couple of months.
He said the area already has a CRPF camp, along with a security post at Morway.
“From the Garhwa side, five security camps are already in place,” the DIG said, adding that police are closely monitoring the security aspects of the dam site.
The Mandal Dam project, located in the Palamu Tiger Reserve region, has often been discussed in connection with its operationalisation and related development activities.
Resettlement Issues Handled by Civil Administration
On questions related to resettlement and rehabilitation of villages likely to be affected by submergence, the DIG clarified that the police are primarily concerned with security matters.
“The civil administration and other stakeholders are handling the resettlement and rehabilitation process,” he said.
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Police Action Against Organised Crime Networks
Speaking about organised crime, Kaushal referred to Rahul Singh and Rahul Dubey, who are considered key operatives attempting to fill the space left by slain gangster Aman Sao.
“Both the Rahuls have seen a considerable number of their henchmen arrested. After the neutralisation of Aman Sao, they tried to capture the space he left behind, but the police have contained them,” the DIG said.
However, tracking Rahul Dubey’s location remains challenging due to the cross-border nature of his movements, he added.
Maoists Weakening, Other Groups Losing Ground
On the Naxal situation in the region, Kaushal said the Maoists have weakened significantly.
“The Maoists are very few in number now. They have lost their teeth and are countable,” he said, referring to the setbacks faced by their leadership in neighbouring Chhattisgarh.
He added that the Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP) is “on its way to extinction,” while the Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC) has been largely confined.
Despite the decline of extremist groups, the police remain vigilant and are not complacent, he indicated.
Drug Trafficking Under Watch
Responding to concerns about Garhwa emerging as a route for drug trafficking, Kaushal said the issue would be examined further.
He noted that drug recoveries have been reported in Latehar, Palamu and Garhwa districts.
“Jharkhand mainly has two opioids—opium and marijuana. Opium is cultivated in several districts, while marijuana largely comes in bulk from Odisha through road and train routes,” he said.
Large consignments of marijuana have recently been seized in Simdega, he added.
“Brown sugar is a high-priced narcotic. Drugs have penetrated every community. Police will do everything possible to contain and curb it,” the DIG said.