Maoists to observe ‘Martyr’s Week’, Bihar police sound high alert

The Bihar police has sounded a general high alert in the wake of Maoists observing “Martyrs’ Week” from Wednesday

The Bihar police has sounded a general high alert in the wake of Maoists observing “Martyrs’ Week” from Wednesday. The security forces are keeping strict vigil in Maoist-infested areas of bordering Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Nepal, officials aware of the development said.

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According to reports, posters and banners by the banned extremist outfit CPI (Maoist) have been put up, appealing residents to observe “Martyrs’ Week” from July 28 to August 3 in remote villages of several districts.

In the posters, the CPI (Maoist) has not only appealed the public to join their cadres but also threatened to increase attacks and other activities in their strongholds.

The banned outfit observes “Martyrs’ Week” every year to memorialise their members who were killed while fighting with security forces. The tradition started in 1972 after Charu Majumdar, founder of Maoist movement in the country, died in police custody in West Bengal.

According to the posters, at least 160 Maoists have been killed over last 12 months in eight Maoist-affected states.

Police informed the high alert has been sounded after intelligence reports suggested that the ultras might attack Maoist areas and indulge in demonstrative acts of violence by targeting security forces and infrastructure such as trains, buses, railway stations, bus stations and other places, where people are likely to gather in significant numbers.

Officials in police headquarters said apart from ensuring deployment of additional police and paramilitary forces, the combing operations and patrolling has been intensified to check possibility of entry of Maoists from neighbouring states. Security forces have also been alerted to remain vigilant, particularly against IEDs and landmines. It has also stepped-up intelligence gathering in view of the “Martyrs’ Week”.

“We have asked security forces to conduct long-range patrolling in areas of Jamui, Lakhisarai, Gaya, Aurangabad and Nawada districts,” said a police official on condition of anonymity.