End to red rule?

Jamshedpur, March 15: Police and paramilitary forces today began a joint, anti-insurgency operation against Naxalites in areas bordering Bengal and Orissa.

During the exercise that began early in the morning, the police conducted long-range patrolling in Kuchai, Saranda and Ghatshila sub-divisions under Seraikela-Kharsawan and West and East Singhbhum.

The Ghatshila operation was led by East Singhbhum district superintendent of police Naveen Kumar Singh. In Saranda, SP (West Singhbhum) Sudhir Kumar Jha led the long-range patrol, while in Kuchai, deputy superintendent of police Madan Mohan Lal conducted the operation.

In Ghatshila, police and paramilitary forces climbed the Damra and Paura hills in Ghurabandha and combed jungles considered as a haven for rebels. During the exercise, personnel met villagers to discuss the rebel and police problems with them. Similar operations were also conducted in Purulia and West Mednapur of Bengal and in Mayurbhanj, Sundergarh and Keonjhar districts of Orissa.

The joint and simultaneous operations were launched after a meeting between senior officers of the three states that was held in Ghatshila on March 9. The meeting was attended by M.K. Mishra, the deputy inspector-general of police (Kolhan) and Pravin Kumar, the DIG of Midnapore, among others.

Officers chalked out a strategy to combat both rebel forces as well as criminals in their areas of jurisdiction. The meeting’s purpose was to work coherently and weed out criminals from respective districts.

SP (East Singhbhum) said patrols are conducted on a regular basis, but the one that started today was a simultaneous operation being conducted in three states. “The exercise began today and will continue for four-five days,” said Singh, hoping that the exercise will leave a dent in Naxalite activities in the region.