Maoist surrenders trigger major search operation in Kuchai forests, arms recovered
PINAKI MAJUMDAR Jamshedpur, September 11: A major search operation has been launched in the Maoist-affected Kuchai area of Seraikela-Kharsawan following the surrender…
PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, September 11: A major search operation has been launched in the Maoist-affected Kuchai area of Seraikela-Kharsawan following the surrender of three senior Maoist cadres in neighbouring West Bengal, with security forces reportedly recovering a substantial quantity of arms and other Maoist-related material from the forests of Rollahatu.
According to police sources, a joint team comprising the Seraikela-Kharsawan Police, CoBRA and West Bengal Police conducted an extensive search operation in the Rollahatu forests under Kuchai police station.
During the operation, security forces reportedly recovered a large cache of weapons and other materials suspected to have been concealed by Maoist cadres.
As the operation was still underway, police had not released details of the exact quantity and nature of the arms and ammunition recovered. Security personnel were continuing to comb the forested terrain for possible additional weapons dumps and other Maoist-related material.
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Three senior Maoist cadres surrender in West Bengal
The operation assumes significance as it came a day after three senior Maoist cadres surrendered before the West Bengal Police.
Those who surrendered included Regional Committee member Ramprasad Mardi alias Sachin, his wife and Zonal Committee member Mita alias Nayantara, and Sub-Zonal Committee member Gauri alias Bullu.
Sachin carried a reward of Rs 15 lakh announced by the Jharkhand government, while a reward of Rs 10 lakh had been declared on Mita.
All three were reportedly active for a long period in the Jharkhand-West Bengal border region. Sachin’s name had also figured in the investigation into the killing of former MP Sunil Mahato.
According to reports, Sachin had remained on the radar of security agencies for nearly two decades following the high-profile killing.
Police records cited in reports indicate that 44 cases were registered against Sachin, 19 against Mita and 18 against Gauri. The cases reportedly include incidents involving encounters, IED blasts and attacks on security personnel.
Inter-state Maoist network under security agencies’ focus
Sources said information provided during interrogation of the surrendered cadres helped security agencies identify suspected Maoist hideouts and concealed arms in the Rollahatu forests, prompting the joint search operation.
The participation of CoBRA and West Bengal Police alongside the Seraikela-Kharsawan Police highlights the focus of security agencies on the inter-state Maoist network operating along the Jharkhand-West Bengal border.
Security forces were continuing the search for additional Maoist-related material and possible arms dumps in the forested areas of Kuchai.
