India people'swar advances ! ‘Maoists’ attack security forces in Dumka

India press
Dumka: Suspected Maoists attacked security forces at Saruapani forests under Kathikund police station of the district leading to an encounter that lasted for more than an hour on Saturday. Security forces, said police, were on a long-range patrolling in the deep forests of Sartuapani adjacent to rebel-hit Shikaripara and Gopikandar police station areas of the district when the rebels opened fire on them from atop the hills at around 8.30 am.
This was followed by an encounter between rebels and security forces which continued till 12.30 noon. There were, however, no reports of casualty on either side. Dumka SP Anoop T Mathew said security forces on a tip off had ventured into the forest to nab the rebels who were planning to undertake some major move to retaliate the arrest of their leader Prabil Da who had been arrested by Dumka police recently.
The security forces comprising SSB and Jharkhand Jaguar jawans apart from district police forces were led by DSP Pitambar Singh Kherwar. The group of the rebels involved in Saturday’s encounter was led by Sahdev Rai alias Tala Da, said police. “Security forces were unhurt in the encounter but some rebels may have been injured in the encounter. They, however, managed to escape taking advantage of the dense forest and rugged terrain,” Mathew stated.
Earlier, rebels had set ablaze a Bolero jeep at Kathikund Market on Friday night and put up posters at different places. The incident occurred at a place which is a stone’s throw away from Kathikund police station. This is for the second time that a rebel activity has been reported in the district after the arrest of Prabil Da last month from Hadwadangal village under Ramgarh police station of the district. His arrest was believed to be a big success for the security forces considering his high rank in the rebel organization.
Earlier, rebels torched two mobile towers in Ramgarh police station area on October 9 . Prabil Da, who is a member of the special area committee comprising entire Santhal Pargana and neighbouring districts of Bihar and Bengal, was involved in as many as two dozen Maoist incidents in Dumka and Pakur districts. This included the killing of Pakur SP Amarjit Balihar and ambushing of a polling party in the Lok Sabha election. Police have been on its toes to thwart any attempt of the rebels to avenge Prabil Da’s arrest.