Major hunt for Maoists launched in two states

A major drive has been launched against Maoist guerrillas in five districts of West Bengal and Jharkhand, and Orissa will soon join the campaign, a senior officer said. An unspecified number of police and paramilitary personnel are pursuing the Naxals in the coordinated operation called Green Hunt that began three days ago in the region. Full coverage

A major drive has been launched against Maoist guerrillas in five districts of West Bengal and Jharkhand, and Orissa will soon join the campaign, a senior officer said on Thursday.

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An unspecified number of police and paramilitary personnel are pursuing the guerrillas in the coordinated operation called Green Hunt that began three days ago, the officer told IANS on condition of anonymity.

"Initially, the operation was kept a secret," the officer said.

"The operation has been launched in five bordering districts. The paramilitary forces and state police are sanitising the jungle areas. Some landmines have been recovered and four Maoist camps have been destroyed."

"The operation has air surveillance. Security forces have made a makeshift helipad in Saranda jungle area (in Jharkhand)," the officer added.

In Jharkhand, the operations are going on in three places. In West Bengal, the Maoists are being chased in Purulia and West Midnapore districts.

"The move is to zero in on Maoists in bordering areas," said the officer. Orissa would join the campaign soon, he added.

On Feb 9, Home Minister P Chidamabram met the chief ministers and top officials of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Orissa, reportedly to give a final shape to the anti-Maoist drive.