Naxal outfits namely CPI (Maoist), TPC, PlFI, JPC and JJMP have their area of operation in Panki Assembly constituency which is to go to poll on May 16. CPI Maoist has its sway in Manatu which is commanded by Sarwanji. Similarly JJMP is operative on the border of lesliganj and Satbarwa. PlFI is in Panki with Mukesh Yadav its commander giving police a tough time. TPC is a floating Naxal outfit, which emerges here and there in lesliganj and Panki.
The area is also infamous for poppy cultivation which is surreptitiously patronised by the Maoists, admit sources in the police. DIG of Palamu range Saket Kumar Singh conceded that Maoist, TPC, PlFI, JJMP all have their pockets in the assembly constituency. He agreed that Maoists are definitely down but not out and so Maoists cannot be taken lightly here.
The DIG agreed that Maoists would give poll boycott again this time as they have been using this since 1995 but of late in reversal of this poll boycott the turnout of voters in polls continue to grow bigger and bigger every election.
On other splinter groups, he said these outfits would plan to have a bite of cash from the gullible contestants by way of throwing its weight behind a candidate. DIG did not deny that naxal outfits assure candidates of booths going in their favour on voting day.
Panki assembly constituency shares its borders with Bihar and influx of extremists from there will be under the scanner of the security forces reiterated the DIG. Sources said sealing border with Bihar is no easy proposition except the metallic roads which can be manned by drop gate. A gangster Dablu Singh who hails from lesliganj block too has his influence in the area.
The administration on its part is preparing plan to deploy police forces and other central para military forces to cripple every move of the criminals and the naxals.