The arrest of two top-rung Naxal leaders in Jharkhand—Anil alias Amitabh Bagchi and Tauhild Mula alias Kartik—is being viewed as a major catch, which could give the police vital clues on latest modus operandi of the ultra left outfit in Bihar and Jharkhand. While Bagchi is said to be a Polit
Bureau member, Kartik is associated with the central committee of the banned outfit.
What is significant is that Bagchi’s area of influence has mostly been undivided Bihar since 1991. He was also chargesheeted in a case of extremist violence at Palamu (now in Jharkhand) and wields considerable clout in parts of Aurangabad and Gaya region.
Both Bagchi and Kartik are among the ‘think tank’ of the Maoists.
Now on a six-day remand by the Jharkhand police, they are to be interrogated for information on Naxal operations and strategies in the two neighbouring states. “The Jharkhand police took the two Maoists on remand after they were produced in the court on Tuesday,” said R K Mullick, DIG, Ranchi range.
Though Mullick refused to share information elicited from the Maoists, he said their arrest was considered a prize catch for police officials of the two states. “Usually, we share intelligence inputs with our counterparts in Bihar and launch joint combing operations in bordering districts,” he added.
The two states have developed a mechanism to combat Naxalites. “A meeting of inter state committee comprising senior police officials of the two states is held every month to chalk out strategy,” said M S Bhatia, DIG, Hazaribag range. The borders of Jharkhand mainly embrace parts of Jamui, Nawada, Aurangabad and Gaya districts.
Bhatia claimed that the joint combing operation has led to the arrest of several top-ranking Maoist leaders from Bihar and Jharkhand. “In Bihar, more than 50 self proclaimed zonal commanders and area commanders have been arrested in the recent past,” said S K Bhardwaj, IG (Operations), Bihar.
Bhardwaj said the surrender policy of the Jharkhand government for extremists was more liberal. “We are also contemplating to add some new points in the existing surrender policy of the Bihar government to draw Maoists into the main stream of society,” he added.