Bhagalpur, Jan. 3: Maoists operating in eastern Bihar and neighbouring Jharkhand districts have regrouped under a new outfit. This information was divulged by Suresh Yadav alias Nagendra, an area commander of a Maoist group, who was arrested on December 31.

During interrogation, the arrested rebel said Maoists have dissolved their old organisation — Jamui-Bhagalpur committee — and formed a new zonal group — eastern Bihar-north Jharkhand zonal committee. The new committee includes operations in more than a dozen districts in eastern Bihar and some parts of north Jharkhand. Some members of the committee have been sent to Nepal for training.

Nagendra told the police the new committee has been constituted with the old think tank of the rebels and priority has been given to dedicated workers. Besides, the organisation is also adopting measures to take active patronage from the residents of the villages.

He also said the rebels have decided to eliminate petty criminals who often misuse the organisation’s name for committing offences.

According to intelligence reports, the rebels have formed the new committee in the last week of December. They are planning major operations in 2012. Maoists, especially the existing members of the armed squad of Jharkhand, have been assigned the job of carrying out the operations. They have also been provided weapons that were looted from the police in the region.

The report also mentions that the outfit are planning to attack several police stations and police pickets in eastern Bihar districts.