Security forces today busted a Maoist hideout at Tekri hillock, bordering West Bengal, following a fierce encounter under Ghatsila area of East Singhbhum district, a senior police officer said.
The security personnel have recovered a six-round loaded 303 Rifle looted from the police in the past, a pistol, gelatin sticks, explosives including bomb making material, camera flash, daily core items, daily core items of women, dairy and naxal literatures from the camp, among others, Sernior Superintendent of Police, Anoop T Mathew said.
The raids followed exchange of 350 rounds of fire between the two sides in the Tekri hillock near Burudih dam in the morning. While the ultras fired 200 rounds, the security personnel fired 150 rounds in return.
Mathew was accompanied by the 193 Battalion CRPF Commandant Sanjay Kumar and Superintendent of Police (operation), Shailendra Kumar Burnwal at the press briefing.
He said the Maoists first opened fire on the approaching security personnel, forcing them to retaliate.
The naxals, comprising around 20 to 25 numbers, were being led by Ranjit Pal alias Rahul, who was an accused in the killing of JMM MP Sunil Mahato in 2007, and Madan Mahato, he said.
The ultras including women cadre made a hasty retreat on the face of the onslaught by security forces and fled the camp, which was razed down he told the press meet, he said.
Police have been investigating as where and when the rifle was looted from the police, Mathew said, adding some Maoists were suspected to have suffered injuries.
Prima facie, Mathew said, it appeared that the ultras were engaged in expanding and strengthening their organization in West Bengal to revive Lalgarh-type movement, few years back under CPI(M) rule in West Bengal.
Some of the banners recovered from the spot read in Bengali language 'Maa Mati Manusher slogan-er adaley Mamatar fasiwadi susasan er virodhey tibra pratiwad andolan gode tulun,' (CPI-Maoists) (Intensify agitation against Mamata's fascist governance), while another in hindi read 'Lalgarh andolan ke neta Chatradhar Mahato samet sabhi netaon ko bina shart riha karney hetu andolan nirmal karo' (Revive mass movement for unconditional release of leader of Lalgarh Chatradhar Mahato and others).
Currently, Chatradhar Mahato was languishing in jail.
Mathew said the information were being shared with the West Bengal counterparts.
CRPF Commandant Sanjay Kumar, also present, said three companies of para-military forces along with the district police force have launched the incisive search operation in the area and reached near their stronghold.
