The Security Forces (SFs) in Jharkhand, on April 7, said they will continue with intelligence-based anti-Naxal [Left Wing Extremism, LWE] operations in the State, even though the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) in Odisha and Telangana has announced a unilateral ceasefire in view of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, reports The Times of India. The decision comes after a few Maoist-related incidents, including an encounter in West Singhbhum District were reported last week. The Inspector General (IG) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Raj Kumar, said, “The administrative deployment to implement the lockdown is mainly in urban and semi-urban areas. It is not hindering the movement of the extremists in the forests. The recent incidents demonstrate that they are active. The tri-junction of Ranchi, Khunti and Chaibasa Districts, the Parasnath hills in Giridih and Budha Pahar in Bokaro are some of the rebel hotspots in the State.”
The IG added that “Ever since the lockdown was imposed, anti-Naxal operations were carried out on the basis of intelligence inputs. Despite its engagement with implementing the lockdown, the State Police are also participating in these operations.” The IG of Jharkhand Police, Saket Kumar Singh said, “So far, we have no information regarding any ceasefire announced by the extremists in Jharkhand. Police are also launching operations against the rebels. Our forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations have not been diverted to COVID-19 works so far.”