W Singhbhum police bid to win support of remote tribal hamlets

Jamshedpur: Police in West Singhbhum and the CRPF have begun a joint drive to win the support of the locals in the tribal forest hamlets of Saranda and Porahat. The move is aimed at preventing the residents from getting influenced by Maoist propaganda.
The officials organized a health check-up camp, distributed clothes, note books, medicines and grocery items among the locals as a part of the five-day drive that began on July 6.
Police said they have identified 10 remote villages, which are frequented by the rebels. The Maoists, police said, were looking to expand their area of operation in the district and in adjoining Khunti, Seraikela-Kharsawan and in Odisha’s Sundargarh.
The hamlets fall under the jurisdiction of the Golkera police station.
“Officials also interacted with the locals to learn about their needs and grievances,” SP Indrajeet Mahatha said.
Sources said that the residents demanded pucca roads, clean drinking water, electricity and repair of school buildings, among others.
Tribal activist M K Birua said security forces have started the drive after Maoist violence increased in the last few months.
Notably, the ultras have asked the village heads to cooperate with them in finding 10 new recruits from every village.
The Maoists have also threatened village heads of dire consequences if they fail to find them new recruits.
Incidentally, five Maoists have been killed by security forces and 25 arrested in the district in the last six months.