Seraikela-Kharsawan (Jharkhand): A major Maoist conspiracy in the Dalma forest region in Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharsawan district has been foiled following the arrest of three wanted Maoists and the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition, police said on Thursday.
According to the district police, the Maoist outfit was attempting to re-establish its network in the Dalma area and was allegedly planning a major attack after facing sustained pressure from security forces in the Saranda forest area.
Addressing a press conference, Superintendent of Police of Seraikela-Kharsawan, Manoj Swargiyari, said a joint operation by security forces led to the busting of the alleged plot and exposed the outfit’s renewed efforts to regain a foothold in the Dalma hills.
Weapons and other materials recovered during the operation included an INSAS rifle reportedly looted from the police, a large quantity of live AKM-47 ammunition, a 9 mm pistol, magazines, walkie-talkies, codex wire, a motorcycle and other items.
The SP said the police received intelligence on August 4 that active members of the CPI-Maoist were hiding in Udaipur village under Kandra police station limits. Acting on the tip-off, a joint team comprising district police personnel, the 203 CoBRA battalion, the 134th battalion of the CRPF and the 26th battalion of the SSB launched a raid in the area.
During the operation, security personnel arrested sub-zonal committee member Ravi Singh Sardar, alias Sagar Singh, allegedly in possession of a loaded AKM-47 rifle, ammunition, and a walkie-talkie.
Based on information provided by him, the forces subsequently arrested regional committee member Madan Mahato, who carried a reward of Rs 15 lakh, and sub-zonal commander Meena Paharia, alias Nepu Paharia, who had a reward of Rs 2 lakh on her head. Police said Meena Paharia is the wife of Ravi Singh Sardar.
According to investigators, the arrested Maoists disclosed during interrogation that they had earlier been active in the Dalma region.
Following intensified security operations in Saranda, the organisation allegedly decided to revive its activities in Dalma and rebuild its operational network there, police said.
Police further claimed that the three accused had admitted involvement in several Maoist incidents in the Dalma region, including the killing of policemen in Kukru and the looting of weapons. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
The SP said the operation was significant not only because of the arrests but also because it revealed the Maoists’ latest organisational strategy and operational plans in the Dalma belt.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Criminal Law Amendment (CLA) Act and the Explosive Substances Act.
Further investigation is underway.
(IANS)
