Bihar: Cops, Reds exchange fire on Lakhisarai-Munger border

PATNA: A fierce encounter took place between the security personnel and the Maoists in Kharagpur Rajasarai Harkunda hills on the border of Lakhisarai and Munger districts in the wee hours of Monday. However, there was no report of any casualty or injury in the exchange of fire, which lasted for an hour.
A joint team of the Special Task Force (STF) and the district armed police cordoned off the area and launched search operation following reports that some armed squad members of the CPI-Maoist were camping there.They had allegedly been involved in the kidnapping of three persons, including a mukhiya, in a Lakhisarai village for extortion.
Some top leaders like Arjun Kora, Baleshwar Kora, Suresh Kora, Bahadur Kora and Narayan Kora were involved in the Lakhisarai kidnapping case. Unconfirmed reports said Bhalui panchayat mukhiya Ganesh Rajak, who was among the three kidnapped, had been released after his family paid a hefty sum as extortion. The other two had also been released.
Sharing details of the police operation, DIG (Munger range) Manu Maharaaj said the Maoists started indiscriminate firing on the police team when it reached the Dharhara-Kharagpur borders and entered the forest. The police team retaliated and fired at least 50 rounds. The Maoists also fired at least 100 rounds.
Apprehending trouble, the Maoists escaped in the deep forest taking advantage of the topography of the region. Later, the security forces carried out search operations in about half a dozen villages such as New Paisra, Amrasani, Goraiya and Sakhail. The locals told the police that the Maoists had entered the hills from Kharagpur Jheel side.
Maharaaj said the operation will continue in the region. DSP (STF) Pankaj Kumar led the team, which was assigned to carry out the operation in villages considered to be the influential pockets of the Maoists. “The Maoists impart training to its recruits during the monsoon in the hilly areas,” he added.