Jamshedpur, March 12: The state stepped up anti-insurgency operations around Chandil, Chowka and Tamar in Seraikela-Kharsawan district and rural Ranchi today after Maoists on Tuesday looted rifles of JAP jawans by throwing chilly powder on their eyes.

About five companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), two companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP) are combing the forest around Chowka, Chandil, Tamar and Kuchai. DIG, Kolhan range, M.K. Mishra and SP, Seraikela-Kharsawan, are camping at Chowka and are supervising the operation.

Concerned over the foray of Naxalites into industrial zones in Chowka, DGP, Jharkhand, Vishnu Dayal Ram said he would see that Naxalite activities were kept at bay in Chandil and Chowka — the flourishing industrial zone.

The senior officer hinted at intensifying patrolling and deploying of additional police force in strategic locations close to the zone.

Meanwhile, sources in the intelligence said the rebels who had snatched the Insas and self-loading rifles yesterday, sneaked into the forest of Tamar from Dinai hills near Ormali. Intelligence sources said the rebels later took position on Dinai hills, forcing the police and paramilitary forces to abandon firing at them, and soon sneaked out further towards Tamar. When the police climbed the hills early this morning, they failed to trace the rebels.

Meanwhile, the snatching of rifles in the industrial belt has sent shockwaves among both entrepreneurs and employees in the zone.

“The industrialists will think twice before setting up new units or expanding their units in Chandil or Chowka. When rebels could strike at Chowka, then why not in Gamharia and Adityapur?” said S.N. Thakur, president of Adityapur Small Industries Association.