A perceptible change is sweeping across Palamu which for more than 25 years suffered heavy onslaughts of left wing extremism.
Sources said the change in the scenario in extremism has not come in just one or two years, but it is the result of strategy and counter offensive measures of many years of the security forces along with the vigorous campaign for surrender of ultras, reaping huge benefits in terms of cash and land, etc.
A recent photograph of SP Palamu Indrajeet Mahatha, Commandant 134 battalion of CRPF S K linda, DSP Chhaterpur Shambu K Singh at some unidentified location in Chhaterpur speaks volumes of change in the rural agro scenario of Palamu in the back drop of extremism.
S K linda Commandant of 134 battalion of CRPF when contacted said quite guardedly, “We were together after a gun battle with the extremists in which the extremists lost one cadre.”
A security official who didn’t wish to be named said, “DGP D K Pandey’s strategic thrust on setting up of forward security posts in Palamu from Pipra to Dagra to Mahudand has caused extremists cry for space and breathing.”
Old timers and watchers of extremism in Palamu since 1982 said such togetherness of two brands of forces one of district police led by SP and the other of central para military force CRPF 134 battalion led by Commandant linda attributes to a perfect cop ordination between the two forces.
Police officials of various police stations almost every day inform newsmen here about their destruction of poppy cultivation in their areas.
Sources reminded when lWE (left Wing Extremism) was at its peak till mid nineties police force did not look towards poppy cultivation as this cultivation is done in the most cut off areas near any water body on either GM land or on forest land where in the past security forces avoided going there for fear of getting ambushed by extremists but now security forces wearing battle fatigue or even in civvies holding long sticks are seen out in poppy field destroying its flowers and seeds!
Sources further said following extremism on the downhill journey here security forces are cracking against fermented mahua, illicit liquor and smashing earthen pots full of illicit liquor. Sources said during the time extremism was too red and hot here this act was put behind the seat then by the police. Police’s crackdown against bootlegging is indicative of losing grip of extremism here said sources.