CRPF DIG Rajiv Kumar (left) at Bokaro aerodrome on Wednesday. (Pankaj Singh)

Bokaro, June 15: A taskmaster from the north is here to monitor the red zone of Bokaro-Hazaribagh.

After an intrepid stint against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, CRPF DIG Rajiv Kumar today took charge of one of the state’s most treacherous Maoist zones.

After a quick aerial survey of Jhumra, Lugu Pahadi, Gomia and Uparghat in Bokaro, border areas of Hazaribagh and Parasnath Hills in Giridih, he said the topography was as challenging as the terrorised terrain of Kashmir, the rebel-hit Northeast and Maoist bastions of Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Bengal.

The new CRPF DIG was accompanied by Bokaro SP Saket Singh and commandant of the CRPF’s 26th Battalion Imran Mallick.

“I have come here on a mission. I need to study and understand the area, and acquaint myself with difficulties being faced by security personnel,” he said after alighting from the BSF survey chopper at Bokaro aerodrome.

“I have had hours of parleys with police and CRPF officers and understand it is a risky warfare against Maoists here. The security forces are doing an excellent job, but with increased surveillance and a thorough intelligence network, better results can be achieved,” he said.

Rajiv Kumar met the officers in charge of Gomia and Nawadih — Neeraj Singh and Binod Mahto — and agreed that in recruitment drive for security personnel, local youths should be given preference. He also advocated community policing to involve local residents.

Later, the CRPF DIG called on coal belt IG Manoj Kumar Mishra and reportedly discussed new strategies adopted against rebels.