Maoist of Maharaj Pramanik squad nabbed, vehicles seized

Jamshedpur, Aug 31: In a major breakthrough, police nabbed a CPI-Maoist ultra, who belongs to the dreaded Maharaj Pramanik squad from Bharbhariya village under Toklo police station in West Singhbhum district. Identified as Bullet Mahto, the Maoist used to exhort �Levy� from the government contractors. He also used to transport Maoists from one place to another. Mahto has several charges of criminal cases in different police stations. The police have also seized two vehicles from him. He was sent to Chaibasa jail today.

Revealing about the breakthrough, a police official said: �We received information that an active Maharaj Pramanik is trying to get ammunition and is actively transporting ultras from one place to another. Once specific input was received, a special team was constituted which arrested Mahto�.

Meanwhile, the police and paramilitary forces have started frisking commuters in the bordering areas. At some places common people are also being interrogated by police and paramilitary forces on suspicion. Forces have been deployed in strategic locations.

“We have information that the squads of naxal leaders Anal and Maharaj Pramanik are active in West Singhbhum and Kharsawan since the past one year. We have set up the CRPF camps keeping in view of the Dalma foothills, Chowka and Kharsawan in view so that the CRPF personnel can conduct random operations against the rebels effectively,” said the official.

Police said that the security has been beefed up in the area and they were keeping strict vigil on movement of the Naxlites. �There has been a substantial increase in Maoist activities in this. We are not much concerned about small acts of violence because these activities can be controlled by us, but the bigger attacks are worrisome,� said a security official.

Sources informed that the police have decided to ensure strict vigil and deploy additional security forces in the fringe areas. �Security has been beefed up in the area and they were keeping strict vigil on movement of the Naxalites. The plan is to keep a tab on the camps being operated by ultras,� said another official.