Armed CPI Maoists wreaked havoc in Palamu on Saturday night at Pasiya village under Chak panchayat in Manatu block about 78 kilometres away from Daltonganj. Sources said, the Maoists numbering between 70 to 80 set afire the equipment of TPl tower of cell phone company causing extensive damages to it. The fire was caused from the fuel of the ground equipment itself. The Maoists had called bandh on April 25. On the retreat, the Maoists also put on fire a tractor–cum–trolley and beat up the driver of the tractor Dineshwar Ram. He had to get 5-6 stitches. The Maoists were suspected to be led by Arvind and Mukhiya.
The SP Palamu Patel Mayur K lal has confirmed the incident and claimed that the Maoists did this to hog limelight. Before the incident, Manatu has been quite peaceful in the last 12 to 14 months. Commandant of 134 battalion CRPF SK linda said the security forces would definitely corner them but a precise and timely input is a must for zeroing the ultras.