Langi: 4 rounds of encounter in two days, residents vacate

JAMSHEDPUR: Langi village atop Langi hills under Toklo police station in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand wore a deserted look on Tuesday with over 2,000 police and paramilitary forces engaged in search operation after successive encounters with Maoists squads on Monday and last Sunday.

Meanwhile, residents have vacated the village, having a population of about 725, in wake of repeated exchange of fire. The locals have taken shelter in Hoysel, Hoyohatu, Baidih, and Darkada villages in Jharhara area on the foothills.

A few persons, including a rural doctor, were also detained for interrogation, police said on Tuesday.

“Search operation is on also and it will continue till we neutralise or arrest Maoists. Few persons, including a rural medical practitioner (RMP), were detained and they are being interrogated for more clues,” Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Kolhan DIG said.

Jharkhand director general of police (DGP) MV Rao confirmed that four rounds of fire were exchanged between the trapped Maoists and security forces during the past 48 hours.

According to West Singhbhum SP Ajay Linda, the Maoists have divided themselves in two groups and forces have surrounded all hillocks at Jamro axis.

“On Sunday morning, there was encounter with a Maoist squad led by sub-zonal commander Maharaj Pramanik, while we had an exchange of fire another Maoist squad led by zonal commander Anal da and Suresh Munda around 8am. Search is also on for the injured Naxals,” said Linda.

Forces from West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts, CoBRA battalions 208 and 203, and CRPF battalions 60, 174 and 197 have been camping at Langi and nearby hills. Police also recovered piped bombs, landmines, IEDs and huge cache of ammunition from encounter sites.

According to Langi residents, a few Maoists were in the firing during the past two days.