Keep us in the loop: Gadchiroli police

Close on the heels of Naxals killing three people, including Lloyd Metals’ vice-president Jaspal Singh Dhillon, two days ago in Gadchiroli district, the local police has issued an advisory to industries, contractors and civilians not to approach the rebels for talks without keeping it in the loop.

Gadchiroli district accounts for various mining, paper, paper pulp, rice mills and silk worm centres. Besides, the region is a major centre for tendu leaves.

The police has cautioned industries against entering into any compromise with Naxals, through mediators, as the exercise may backfire.

Speaking to Business Standard, a senior police official said, “Preliminary investigations revealed Jaspal Dhillon, vice-president of Lloyds Metals; A P Mallikarjun, Hyderabad-based sub contractor; and Raju Sanmek, police patil of Surjagar village, who were killed on Wednesday night in the Etapalli forest by Naxals, had entered the Naxal-dominated area without keeping the police and security forces in the know. They were in constant touch with Naxals to reach an understanding. But the opposite happened.”

The Maharashtra government is urging the Centre to step up efforts to establish mobile connectivity in Gadchiroli district.

Recently, the state government had urged BSNL to set up transmission towers in the district.