The Jharkhand Police has disclosed that there is no respite in Naxal [Left Wing Extremism, LWE] attacks in the State amid the ongoing nationwide coronavirus-induced lockdown, reports ANI on May 11. As per the data provided by the Jharkhand Police, the incidents of Naxal-linked arson and murder during March end to April this year have been higher than the last corresponding period. During March-end to April this year, Naxals carried out 33 major acts of violence, killing and injuring several people, nine murders, and eight cases of arson.
Further, in 2019, Jharkhand had recorded 134 violence cases, 30 civilian casualties, 30 acts of arson, and 14 police casualties -- all allegedly carried out by the Naxals. According to the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Operations, M.L. Meena, “Naxals are taking the lockdown as an opportunity. Due to lockdown, people and potential victims are at home. With zero movements and crowd around, they are becoming easy targets. Since Naxals are anti-establishment, they are putting all efforts to foil the government’s endeavours being made to help the people during COVID-19 pandemic.”