Maoists shift camps to Purulia

According to the reports,Maoists have started running arms training camp in 11 places in Purulia district. Most camps are located in Bagmundi police station area and in Narayanpur area. The spots include Batdanga,Asanboni,Kumardanga,Barodanga,Dumuria,Choto Rajera,Simulbera,Dhadka,Chingora and Kalabera.

A senior police officer said: “We have been alerted by the intelligence agencies about the base camps. We have started verifying the facts.”

Since the NIRB jawans were deployed in the area,Maoists have begun sending letters to headmasters of schools,asking them to send students of Classes X,XI and XII to the camps. “We have collected several such letters in which they have threatened the headmasters,” he added.

According to officers,in the last week of September,Nibaran Chandra Mahato,headmaster of Bagmundi Higher Secondary School received a letter in which he was dictated to send all students of Classes X,XI and XII to the training camps.

“He showed the letter to the school committee and it was decided in the meeting that the orders have to be followed,” the officer said. “The students of Class XI were allowed to take training. We had information that a Maoist came and gave ‘lessons’ to over 300 students.”

Most schools in Ayodhya and Bagmundi police station areas have fallen prey to Maoists due to their proximity to Ayodhya hills.

Besides,certain schools in Sarenga-Goaltore border were also chosen by Maoists as a recruitment platform. Baro Garrah school in Khayerpahari in Sarenga police station area tops the list. This school has produced Maoist cadres like Bikash,area commander,Sobha Mandi and Sushil Mandi. All three are prominent Maoists, Sobha surrendered to police a few days ago.

After the firing by NIRB forces which took the life of an innocent civilian driver in Purulia this week,the police and district administration,meanwhile,have received several complaints about atrocities on villagers. The locals in Balarampur police station area have begun creating pressure on the administration to withdraw the NIRB.

“There is a protest in the area,” said Rajesh Yadav,SP,Purulia. “We have not yet received any complaint from the villagers about the withdrawal of the force. If we receive any complaint,we will forward it to the government. An inquiry has begun into the shooting.”