As the game of hide and seek with the Maoists continues in latehar, Director General Police (DGP) Rajiv Kumar came back to the headquarters after spending a night with the security forces in the jungles of Kumandih. The DGP termed the terrain of Kumandih as the most difficult one in Jharkhand. Notably, the operations are being carried out in latehar exclusively by the State police.
“Kumandih reserve forest is the toughest of all the terrains in Jharkhand compared to Jhumra and other terrains. This is the reason the rebels have selected the place for their hiding,” said the DGP. “This time, we are right on track and hopeful of catching the rebels,” he added.
The operation is being carried out exclusively by the State police without the involvement of the CRPF. “This is an operation carried out exclusively by the State forces which also means that we have come of age and are capable of handling the situation. It also proves that we are sufficient enough to tackle the Maoists in the State,” said the DGP.
Over 50 assault groups of CoBRA, and Jharkhand Jaguar jawans are engaged in the encounters. According to the police intelligence, the Maoists are running short of arms, ammunitions and food supply as their supply lines have been cut down by the police. DGP, along with Jharkhand Jaguar DIG Praveen Kumar Singh, reached Kumundih with some of the other officials on Saturday to monitor the situation at ground zero.
The DGP climbed around 5,000-feet atop and scaled Murhar hills in the afternoon covering over 25 kilometers on foot where the rebels are said to be hiding for the last few days. “The Maoists are changing their base camps from one hill to another,” said the DGP. According to a local source, the DGP also distributed cash (Rs 500 each) among some of the villagers and asked them to come to Kumamdih station and collect grains form there.
Kumundih forest of latehar has been reclaimed by the security forces as Maoist rebels continue to recede. DGP Rajiv Kumar himself is monitoring the operations in latehar and has said that this time the security forces will not let the rebels go; they will have to surrender or face bullets. Anti-Naxal operation in the jungles of Barkadih near Kumandih village in latehar continued for the consecutive 13h day where the security forces have succeeded in destroying some Maoist training camps and have seized Naxal items, including IEDs and walky-talkies.