Naxals revive violence in Saranda forest

Naxals have started violence afresh in Saranda forest areas in West Singhbhum district to stall the development activities in the forest areas of Saranda. CPI (Maoist) cadres last week torched six vehicles which were engaged in road construction work at Saranda forest.

Saranda forest is a dense forest in the hilly region of West Singhbhum district. The area had earlier kept reserve for private hunting.

According to state home department’s sources Jharkhand witnessed the highest level of retaliatory steps from the Naxals since the killing of the Naxals supremo, Kishanji on November 24, 2011 in Bengal.

In order to free the Saranda forest from the clutches of the Naxals, Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh had given top priority for Saranda forest in West Singhbhum district to deliver basic development services like roads, employment, housing and enhancement of productivity.

 

Meanwhile, security forces have launched a fresh offensive in Saranda on Monday with 16 companies consist of 1,600 personnel of CRPF. Jharkhand Jaguar, Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) and state police force.

According to police source forces from Noamundi, Kiriburu and Gua camps have also been taken part in the operation that will continue till the Naxals are flushed out.It may be mentioned that Union minister of rural development Jairam Ramesh had visited Saranda forest areas several times to interact with the villagers to know their problems.

Villagers urged him to set up permanent camps for security forces so that they can move freely in the forest areas. According to his advice construction of two dozen permanent camps for the CRPF and police has already started.