Maoists seem desperate to regain a foothold in the Saranda forest in Jharkhand, touching Sundargarh.
Simultaneously, Jharkhand’s security forces are carrying out the second round of the massive area domination operation, code named ‘Operation Ananconda-II’, to deny any room to the Maoists.
Observers of the Maoist movement along Odisha-Jharkhand border said Saranda is significant for police of both the states and the outlawed CPI (Maoist) outfit as well.
Till September last year, Saranda, spread over 850 sq km with over 700 hills, was an unexplored area for police and considered impregnable. The then Rourkela-based IGP(WR) YK Jethwa had insisted that Saranda was used as the headquarters of the outfit’s Eastern Regional Bureau (ERB) and the latter’s activities in Saranda were impacting bordering districts of Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and Bengal.
Attributing growing Maoist activities to Saranda’s underdevelopment, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh initiated Saranda Action Plan (SAP) as a peace offensive against Left-wing Extremism. The SAP envisages to spend nearly ` 300 crore over two years in projects, including rural connectivity and basic civic facilities to develop 56 forested villages to benefit the vulnerable tribal population of around 36,000 living in abject penury. Ironically, the bordering Maoist-hit pockets of Sundargarh district have been excluded from SAP although any development in Saranda directly impacts peace in Sundargarh.
Paving the way for SAP, joint forces of Odisha and Jharkhand during August-September last year launched the first-ever massive operation for 35 days and dismantled permanent Maoist structures in Saranda. Maoist operatives scurried for cover. Taking advantage of the favourable situation, Ramesh started frequenting Saranda. This year alone, he visited Saranda thrice even on motorcycles to inaccessible pockets. His fourth scheduled visit on December 2 has been put on hold amid heightened Maoist activities.
Sources said a few SAP projects started getting implemented from early this year, albeit at a snail’s pace. Of late, SAP projects hit a major roadblock as development works came to a grinding halt after Maoists on November 25 night torched six vehicles and equipment near Oraiya of Chhota Nagra police limits in West Singhbhum district. Panicked, contract workers fled leaving the road project midway. In another blow the Maoists on December 16 night, set afire 18 vehicles and equipment of a contract firm engaged in third track laying works of the South Eastern Railway (SER) near Derua under Goeilkera police limits. As of now, a couple of projects are underway near the six security camps at Digha, Thalkobad, Bitkelsoya, Kiriburu, Kaliaposh and Chhota Nagra.
In a change of strategy, a highly swift group of Maoists are giving Jharkhand Police a run for their money. A senior Jharkhand cop associated with the operation confided that completely containing the Maoists in the vast hostile terrain of Saranda is next to impossible.
Notwithstanding, Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum SP Pankaj Kamboj said the situation has improved drastically. Twelve more camps would be set up on arrival of additional forces as promised. He said the Rourkela Police in Sundargarh may be asked to join the ongoing operation later. The Rourkela Police have stepped up surveillance to prevent influx of Maoists from Saranda.
Meanwhile, Sundargarh MP and former chief minister Hemanand Biswal said he would impress upon Jairam and the Union Home Minister for SAP-like projects to Sundargarh.