West Bengal: Joint operations launched in Purulia

Security personnel moving for a joint operation against Maoists in Purulia, West Bengal, on Saturday.

The joint force today launched a fresh flushing out operation in the Maoist-infested areas of Ayodhyapahar in Purulia district.

Though the area, situated in the bordering areas of West Bengal and Jharkhand, is known to be a Maoists den, but no resistance from the Maoists were reported during the operation.
According to a senior police officer supervising the operation, twelve companies of force including CRPF, State Elite Force and state police initiated the operation at Ayodhyapahar and its adjacent areas at around 8 a.m. today.

The joint forces divided in eight groups started their operation from three strategic points in the hilly terrain. The points include Balarampur, Baghmundi and Arsha. The operation continued till evening, but no resistance was reported.

The security forces also searched several villages like Usulbhumi, Amkocha, Hedelbera, Tilaghora, Dhanchatni, where Maoists activities were reported since past few months. “It is a hilly terrain and a know hideout of Maoists in the districts.

We have initiated an operation to flush them out and at the same time the forces are trying to regain the confidence of the local people”, said Mr Rajesh Yadav, superintendent of police Purulia.

The Jharkhand police is also cooperating with them. The entire Jharkhand-Bengal border has been sealed to stop the entry and exist of the Maoists, added Mr Yadav. Mr Ardhendu Sen, home secretary admitted that the joint forces’ operation to flush out Maoists in Purial has started today.

He said the demand to stop the operation in Lalgarh by the CPI-M in Midnapore West was justified as several CPI-M supporters have been killed by the Maoists, but the operation will continue.
The Statesman