RANCHI: As the three house guards abducted from the residence of MP Karia Munda on Tuesday are still traceless, State Police launched an intensive search operation on Wednesday involving 1000 police force at Ghaghra village of Khunti.
During the operation, police had to apply lathi-charge and tear gas after intercepted by 'Patthalgadi' supporters leaving over a dozen of them injured, who were later taken to nearby hospital.
Over 50 'Patthalgadi' supporters have also been taken into custody after they opposed police force to enter the village. Senior officials in the State Police, without sharing any details of it, asserted that efforts were on to rescue the abducted policemen.
"The district administration has been taking all steps to maintain law and order in the region and efforts are being made to rescue the abducted policemen," said ADG (Operations) and Jharkhand Police Spokesperson RK Mallick. IG and DIG have been monitoring the rescue work personally by camping in Khunti, he added.
One villager is also said to have died during a stampede which erupted due to police lathi-charge, but the ADG refused to comment on it. Earlier, efforts were made by the Police to resolve the matter through talks with 'Patthalgadi' supporters but all in vain following which police decided to launch intensive search operation to find out the abducted house guards.