Jamshedpur, Jan. 6: Police and paramilitary forces today combed Dumaria and Ghurabandha, neighbouring Musabani, to flush out the assailants of Nagarik Suraksha Samiti (NSS) general secretary Dhanai Kisku.

Search operations in the red pockets of Ghagrakocha, Badia, Nimdih and Bhalki yielded a number of Maoist posters that claimed responsibility for Kisku’s death.

East Singhbhum superintendent of police Naveen Kumar Singh, who led the operation, said the posters put up by the rebels were replaced with those by the police.

“We have conveyed a tough message. Our posters say extremism will be annihilated and the rebels will no longer be able to intimidate and kill innocent people,” he said.

People said that they had heard explosions in the eastern fringe of Musabani early today.

“It must have been 3.30am. We heard a loud bang in a nearby forest. Posters were found strewn everywhere in the morning. The rebels were in Musabani after they killed Kisku,” said a block resident.

Sources said the rebels had hidden the weapons somewhere near the spot before murdering the senior NSS functionary. It is also believed that some of Kisku’s neighbours have strong rebel links.

While security forces combed forests, the entire Ghatshila sub-division remained paralysed in response to a bandh called by the NSS to protest against the murder.

People owing allegiance to the NSS ensured that the bandh was total. The Sidhu-Kanhu Chowk in Musabani was also blocked in protest against the lynching of Jamil Khan, the Potka youth who was mistaken to be a rebel.

No vehicle, except those rendering emergency services, was allowed in and out of Ghatshila. The NH-33 remained deserted throughout the day.

Kisku cremated

Slain NSS general secretary Dhanai Kisku was cremated in his native village of Janogora in the Dumaria block of Ghatshila this afternoon.

More than 70 NSS activists, several Jharkhand Vikas Morcha functionaries and scores of villagers watched him embark on his final journey. His nephew lit the pyre.

Earlier in the day, Kisku’s body was taken from the Tata Main Hospital morgue to his Musabani residence, where it was kept for an hour. Those who participated in the funeral procession shouted slogans against Naxalism and vowed to fight the rebels with renewed vigour.

Village heads described Kisku as the daredevil who would inspire generations to fight against Naxalism. Former MLAs and the NSS president attended the funeral.