Pithora and Pipra in Palamu are back to normal where CPI Maoists led by Nitesh had put afire 13 tractors there Thursday evening. DGP Jharkhand DK Pandey went to Pithora and Pipra on Friday and said that there is no fear of Maoists. “Many people including children came to meet me. All they wanted was road and development,” he said.
“The local residents have taken this act of meaningless violence by Maoists in a bad spirit. There is no support to Maoists here. It is good that I went there. Had I not gone there I would have different thoughts then added DGP. There was just half a dozen Maoists led by Nitesh,” added the DGP.
About the burning of tractors and JCB machine there by Maoists DGP said the burning is notional. It is symbolic. Engines are safe. Tyre of JCB has been burnt. Sources said there is no loss of any other property.
As for reason DGP said it is just for levy as the work on this important road connecting Pipra to NH 98 that connects Palamu to Bihar had started just four days back and the Maoists in sheer panic and nervousness put afire the tractor and JCB tyres there all for extraction of levy.
DGP said he noticed one thing which he wanted to be corrected first there. A contractor of Bihar’s Aurangabad is doing construction of this multi crore 7.8 Km road here. This Bihar contractor has put in vehicles and work force all from Bihar.
DGP Pandey said the locals of Pipra Pithora should also be encouraged and involved in this construction of road. Earth work being done there has been asked to be more safe and secured said sources.
About the topography, DGP said it is just too close to Bihar and even some space of Jharkhand’s Pipra is extended upto Bihar.
He told The Pioneer, “I have asked the construction people to set up a camp there where will be put up police, men and machine all for the safety and security there.”DGP asserted this road will be built by all means.
Sources said the JJharkhand Government has given 18 months time for the construction of this road which is June 18 and this deadline will be met.
Police will provide all help and cooperation to the construction agency he reiterated. Top cops of Palamu and Aurangabad were with DGP in Pipra and Pithora.