In a major achievement against the rebels, the Jharkhand Police, during a joint operation with Central Reserve Force (CRPF), gunned down 12 Maoists near Bakoria village of Palamu. The encounter took place in the wee hours of Tuesday, when the security forces intercepted the two speeding vehicles and the Maoists on board started firing on them. The security forces, in retaliation, also opened fire, killing 12 rebels on the spot.
“All the 12 bodies have been recovered from the spot,” said Palamu SP Patel Mayur Kanhaiya lal. They were all wearing uniforms, he said. According to police, the encounter lasted for over three hours following which eight weapons have been recovered from the site. The list of the recovered weapons includes four 303 rifles, one INSAS Rifle, two semi-automatic guns, a Springfiled-3006 Rifle and some explosives. Over 250 live cartridges have also been recovered by the security forces.
The police further revealed that the Maoists were heading towards Barwaiya village under Manika police station via Satbarwa for collecting levy. As the security forces had very strong inputs regarding their movements, Jawans of CoBRA battalion had already been deployed on their way to ambush the rebels.
“As soon as the rebels entered towards Bholwahi village, the security forces tried to stop them for checking but they started firing from inside the vehicles. One of the two vehicles succeeded in getting away while the other vehicle was cornered killing all the 12 rebels present there,” said CRPF IG RK Mishra. Some of the rebels, however, succeeded in running away after they got injured, Mishra added.
Wanted hardcore Maoist and Area Commander Anurag Ji, alias RK Ji, alias Dr Ji, was also among the killed rebels. According to Mishra, with the killing of RK Ji, peace is likely to be restored in Katia, Budha Pahad and Abun Bikara areas of Bihar Regional Committee area. “RKG was accused of planting bombs in the dead body of CRPF personnel who got killed during the Katia encounter in the year 2013.
Following the incident, fresh combing operation has been launched in the area with senior police and CRPF officials camping at the site, which is close to National Highway-75 connecting Ranchi with Uttar Pradesh.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Raghubar Das, congratulating the security forces, warned that the people defying the law and order in the State will be dealt strongly by the security forces.
“As violence has no place in democracy hence, I appeal to all those youths who got diverted from the mainstream, to come and participate in making the dreams of Bhagwan Birsa Munda come true. This Government also dreams of bringing the light of development even to the last person sitting in the social strata,” said the CM.