JAMSHEDPUR: Security forces have launched a major search operation in the Maoist-affected Kuchai area of Seraikela-Kharsawan following the surrender of three senior Maoist cadres in neighbouring West Bengal. Acting on inputs provided by the surrendered cadres, a joint team of the Seraikela-Kharsawan Police, CoBRA and West Bengal Police conducted an extensive search in the Rollahatu forests under Kuchai police station and recovered weapons and other material suspected to have been concealed by Maoist cadres.
According to police sources, the operation was launched based on information obtained during the interrogation of surrendered Maoists Ram Prasad Mardi alias Sachin, his wife Nayantara alias Meeta, and Bulu Mahato. The search was continuing in the forested terrain, with security personnel looking for additional arms dumps and other Maoist-related material.
Weapons Recovered From Forest
During the operation, security forces recovered two INSAS rifles, eight magazines, 120 rounds of ammunition, a can bomb and a backpack, according to police officials.
Sachin, Meeta and Bulu were reportedly present during the operation, and the recovery was made on the basis of information provided by the surrendered cadres. Bankura Superintendent of Police V.G. Satish Pasumarthy said the weapons and ammunition were recovered from Kuchai following the information provided by Sachin and his wife Meeta.
The operation was significant as security personnel continued to search the area for possible additional weapons and Maoist dumps. Officials were expected to provide further details after the completion of the search operation.
Three Senior Maoist Cadres Surrender
The operation came just a day after three senior Maoist cadres surrendered before the West Bengal Police in Bankura.
Those who surrendered included Regional Committee member Ram Prasad Mardi alias Sachin, Zonal Committee member Mita alias Nayantara, and Sub-Zonal Committee member Gauri alias Bullu.
Sachin, a native of Jhujka in Patamda, was carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakh, while a reward of Rs 10 lakh had been announced for his wife Meeta. Bullu was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh, according to the information provided by the police.
The three cadres had rremained active for a long period in the Jharkhand-West Bengal border region. Sachin’s name had also figured in the investigation into the killing of former MP Sunil Mahato, keeping him on the radar of security agencies for nearly two decades.
Police records cited in reports indicate that 44 cases were registered against Sachin, 19 against Meeta and 18 against Gauri. The cases reportedly relate to incidents including encounters, IED blasts and attacks on security personnel.
Inputs Point to Inter-State Maoist Network
The recovery operation has also drawn attention to the Maoist network operating across the Jharkhand-West Bengal border. According to sources, information provided by the surrendered cadres during interrogation helped security agencies identify suspected hideouts and concealed arms in the Rollahatu forest area.
The participation of the CoBRA, West Bengal Police and Seraikela-Kharsawan Police reflects the inter-state nature of the security operation. Forces from the two states are coordinating efforts to trace possible Maoist hideouts, weapons dumps and remaining members of the network.
Security personnel are continuing combing operations in the forested areas. Officials are likely to assess the full extent of the recoveries after the operation is completed.
Asim Mandal Left With Two Associates
Meanwhile, the surrender of the three cadres is also believed to have weakened the position of one-crore-rewarded Maoist Asim Mandal alias Akash.
According to sources, Asim Mandal is now believed to be accompanied by only Mangal Singh Sardar alias Pandey and his wife Malti Murmu. A reward of Rs 5 lakh has been announced for Mangal Singh Sardar, while Malti Murmu carries a reward of Rs 2 lakh.
Sources said Ram Prasad Mardi alias Sachin had been a close associate of Asim Mandal. After the surrender of Kanhu Munda and Ranjit Pal, Sachin had reportedly taken responsibility for the Maoist squad.
Asim Mandal and his two remaining associates are believed to be hiding in forested areas along the Jharkhand-West Bengal border. Police forces in both states are conducting searches to locate them.
Police Appeal to Villagers
Seraikela-Kharsawan Superintendent of Police IPS Manoj Swargiary has appealed to villagers to provide police with information about Maoist activities or any other information that may not have reached the authorities.
He said the police would make every possible effort to bring those who had gone astray back into the mainstream and help them return to a normal life.
At the same time, the SP warned that security operations would continue as long as Maoist activities persisted. He said that if such activities continued and the police did not receive necessary information, operations would be sustained indefinitely.
Operation Seen as Significant
The Kuchai operation assumes significance because it was launched immediately after the surrender of three senior Maoist cadres who had reportedly been active in the Jharkhand-West Bengal border region for years.
The recovery of INSAS rifles, ammunition and other material based on information provided by the surrendered cadres could provide security agencies with important leads about the Maoist network, its hideouts and arms dumps in the region.
With search operations continuing, security agencies are now focusing on identifying further concealed weapons and tracing the remaining Maoist cadres operating in the border forests.
