Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
Jharkhand Police have intensified a two-pronged operation to dismantle the remnants of the Maoist network in the forested areas along the Saranda-Dalma belt. While joint search operations involving the police and CoBRA personnel are continuing in the forests, authorities have launched a poster campaign to seek local villagers’ assistance in identifying and tracking Maoist cadres.
According to Patamda DSP Nityanand, posters carrying photographs and details of wanted Maoists are being put up at prominent crossings and public places in villages across MGM, Patamda, Bodam, Ghatshila and areas adjoining Dalma. The initiative aims to improve public awareness about the identities of Maoist cadres and strengthen the police intelligence network.
Police have assured villagers that the identities of informants will be kept strictly confidential. Those providing credible information leading to actionable results will also be eligible for the announced reward money.
The police list includes six Maoists, with a combined bounty of around ₹1.33 crore. Top Maoist commander Asim Mandal alias Akash, described as a senior CPI (Maoist) leader, carries the highest reward of ₹1 crore. Ram Prasad alias Sachin carries a bounty of ₹15 lakh, Meeta ₹10 lakh, Mangal Singh Sardar ₹5 lakh and Malti Murmu ₹2 lakh.
Security agencies have reportedly been unable to establish the whereabouts and recent activities of Asim Mandal and his associates following the recent arrest of Maoist cadre Madan Mahto. Officials suspect that Mandal and his five associates may have taken shelter in and around the Dalma forest and adjoining border areas after Mahto’s arrest.
In the Saranda region, the Asim Mandal-led squad is now believed to be among the principal remaining Maoist formations. Security forces are continuing intensive search operations in an effort to locate and neutralise the group.
