Bhagalpur, Jan. 2: Tourism in Bihar has got a thrust from the most unexpected quarter.

Communist Party of India (Maoist) recently called upon tourists to enjoy the nature’s beauty at places having tourism potential such as Munger, Bhagalpur, Banka, Jamui and Lakhisarai.

The appeal did have an impact and Bhim Bandh, a sanctuary located deep inside the Naxalite-dominated forests in Munger district, came alive with activities on the New Year Day. A good number of revellers were seen enjoying the scenic beauty of the area with their family and friends.

The announcement of ceasefire from January 1 to 15 by the Maoists in the eastern parts of Bihar has also boosted tourists’ confidence to visit Red-hit areas.

Avinash, spokesperson of the J-B committee of the CPI (Maoist), appealed to the people to visit picnic spots like Bhim Bandh, Rishikund, Jallapa Sthan, Sringi Rishi, Havali Khraghpur lake, Mandar lake, Battiya valley, Nagi-Nagti dam and dozens of other places having religious and historic importance.

“Our organisation has declared a war against the government for the cause of poor people in the region and incidentally all picnic places located inside the dense forests fall under our operational areas. We have decided to open the places for tourists and would not harm any of them,” he told mediapersons over phone.

According to Avinash, the outfit has also deployed armed members of Janmukti squad in the surroundings of tourist places to provide security to tourists. “The members of Janmukti squad have been deployed to counter any kidnapping incident and also check eve-teasing. Due to the presence of the members, all local troublemakers will keep off the tourist spots and the visitors will be able to travel more freely,” Avinash said.

He, however, said that if police or other security personnel visit the areas, the members of the Janmukti squad would retaliate.

Bhim Bandh, a popular tourist spot, had been abandoned after Maoists killed the then superintendent of police, Munger, K.C. Surendarbabu, on January 5, 2005.

The rebels also destroyed the cafeteria and a rest house of the forest department inside the picturesque location.

“Yesterday, when we entered the sanctuary we were surprised to see many other visitors like us,” said Anil Kumar from Munger. Anil and his four friends hired a vehicle to go around Bhim Bandh.

He said he witnessed many armed people moving on the mountain sides but there was no trace of police or other security persons in the area.

The return of tourists is a good news for the sanctuary. Visitors also thronged other Red-hit spots including Battiya valley, Rishi Kund and inaccessible parts at Bhagalpur, Banka, Lakhisarai districts.

Superintendent of police, Munger, M Sunil Naik acknowledged the fact that tourist flow had increased inside the Red turf but refused to give credit to the outfit. “We don’t have any information about Maoist announcement but tourists have certainly started moving this time due to the presence of tight security arrangements,” he claimed.

Talking to The Telegraph over phone Naik said: “On December 30-31, we conducted search operations in the dense forests as well as the hilly areas. There was no trace of Maoists in the region. We succeeded in our mission to convince the tourists,” he said.

A forest officer at Munger, however, said that forest personnel were present at the entrance of Bhim Bandh yesterday but did not dare to enter the forest with the tourists. “We were very hopeful about the revival of this tourist place when we saw a large number of tourists visiting the area,” the officer said on condition of anonymity.