Ranchi, Sep 2 (IANS) At least 33 Maoist guerrillas were arrested in August in a joint operation by Jharkhand and Orissa Police in Saranda jungle in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, police said Friday.
?We arrested total 33 Maoist guerrillas by launching operation against Maoists in Saranda jungle in August. The operation was launched to free Saranda, which is termed a liberated zone by the CPI-Maoist. The CPI-Maoist has established Saranda jungle as its headquarter of the Eastern Regional Bureau,? Naveen Kumar, Deputy Inspector General of Police of Kolhan region, said Friday at a press conference.
Saranda jungle, spread over 900 km, is situated in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.
In the month-long operation, police seized three weapons, 225 rounds of ammunition, four wireless sets and 175 IEDs. Police also seized secret ration and medicine dumps, and recovered big steel trunks and water storage tanks used by the Maoists.
?This was a joint operation of Jharkhand and Orissa. Orissa Police entered into Saranda jungle and helped us in the operation,? said Singh. He denied allegations that police had arrested innocent tribal people in the name of anti-Maoist operation.
Singh, however, admitted that they have record of only 17 to 18 being Maoists of the 33 arrested as Maoist guerrillas.
He denied that any civilian was killed by police. ?Only one person was killed in cross-fire during the operation,? he said.
