Exercise on to smoke out Maoists in Jharkhand

Jharkhand, with a population of little more than 3 crore, has 19 out of the total 90 extremist-hit districts across India

Parts of tribal-dominated Jharkhand suffering from the Maoist menace for long are of late witnessing a surge in clashes between security forces and the red rebels - an indication that exercises are on to get them out of their hiding places.

Jharkhand, with a population of little more than 3 crore, has 19 out of the total 90 extremist-hit districts across India. The country has 30 severely extremist affected districts and 13 of them are in this State.

“The presence of left wing extremists has now been restricted to three-four regions of the State. The anti-Maoist operation will continue. We urge them to surrender under the State’s surrender and rehabilitation policy,” a top police official, who did not wish to be quoted, said.

There has been visible reduction in Maoists’ activities in Jharkhand in the past few years due to continuous operations against them by security forces, the official said.

The State police in association with central forces have been carrying out raids to nab Maoists, as part of the ‘Operation Double Bull’, in the jungles of Lohardaga and its neighbouring districts since February 8.

Till now, nine Maoists of the rank of sub-zonal commander and area commander have been arrested, while one has been killed in 'Operation Double Bull'.

Since February 25, five top Maoist leaders, carrying rewards ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹25 lakh on their heads, have also surrendered before the security forces.