Karthik S., earlier posted as city SP here and then in Ranchi as part of the CM’s security team, will take over as the Seraikela-Kharsawan SP from Friday, replacing Chandan Kumar Sinha.
This development comes a week after five policemen were butchered allegedly by Maoists at a crowded rural market under Tiruldih thana area at the district’s Khukru block on June 14.
State director-general of police Kamal Nayan Choubey had on June 15 had promised to depute an efficient police officer at Seraikela-Kharsawan to combat Naxalism.
But, a new angle in the ongoing murder probe — the sand-mining mafia — has emerged. Chandil subdivisional police officer (SDPO) Devendra Banka, a part of the team probing the murders, said while they still considered it to be a Maoist-sponsored attack as assailants took off with the policemen’s guns after killing them, Khukru has had no history of Maoist violence. As a result, the police were now exploring if the sand mafia had a hand in the murders.
“Khukru had been free of even Maoist posters,” said Banka. “So, we are looking at other possibilities, including the sand mafia.”
Banka added though the police had initially claimed it to be a Maoist attack, no squad of the CPI(Maoist) or any other Naxalite group owned up responsibility for the murders, as is usually the case.
“On June 6, the district mining office, with Tiruldih police in Khukru, seized seven sand-laden trucks. The sand mafia has been illegally taking sand from Subernarekha riverbank despite the ban on lifting till October 15,” the SDPO said, implying vendetta could not be ruled out. A Tiruldih source said mining officials were “avoiding inspection” despite greater police presence after the murders.
Cop transfers
Ranchi: The state government transferred Seraikela-Kharsawan SP Chandan Kumar Sinha to the state police headquarters. The SP of West Singhbhum, Chandan Kumar Jha, has been transferred to Special Branch. While Palamau SP Indrajit Mahatha will take Jha’s place, Ajay Linda, from JAP training centre at Padma, will be the new Palamau SP.