The Jharkhand police has issued an alert and increased security cover for all politicians in Palamu and Garhwa districts in the aftermath of landmine blasts in Aurangabad, Bihar,killing seven people.
Aurangabad shares its border with Palamu and is also connected to Garhwa. Both districts of Jharkhand are affected by extremism and the police headquarter has asked the districts to be vigilant to avert any possible attempt by the rebels to seek shelter in Jharkhand. Rebels usually leave the area after executing an attack and hide in neighbouring districts.
Palamu DIG R K Dhan said both the districts have been put on high alert and VIPs will be provided extra security cover while traveling to interior areas. There are two MPs and eight MLAs apart from several other VIPs in Palamu division. “The movement of politicians has not been restricted. They already have enough security, but the officers concerned have been asked to provide extra cover when the politicians and other VIPs are in sensitive areas,” said Dhan.
Aurangabad has turned into a police camp since Thursday evening when Maoists blew up a vehicle killing all its seven occupants, including Sushil Pandey, husband of Zila Parishad member.
“In the face of police operations, which are going on in Aurangabad, it is likely that the Maoists will seek shelter in Jharkhand. The border with Biharis not manned well and it will draw the Naxalites here,” said a police officer.
Palamu SP Narendra Kumar Singh said the police are ready to deal with the rebels. “I personally led a combing operation at the border against the rebels’ possible movement into Jharkhand,” said Singh.
It is a challenge for the police to maintain vigil along the borders because of the 22 police stations in Palamu almost 90% of them are not anywhere near the border.
