Ranchi: Chased away from two of their key sanctuaries in Jharkhand, the Maoists may carry out a series of major attacks in the state to regain their lost position, police said Sunday.
"As per information, Maoist guerrillas may carry out major attacks in the state. In December and January, Maoists have triggered landmine blasts in Garwah and Latehar districts and killed nearly 30 policemen, a police officer involved in anti-Maoist operations said.
According to the officer, the top leaders of banned Communist Party of India-Maoist are concerned over losing their safe dens -- Sarju region of Latehar district and Sarada jungle in West Singhbhum district -- in the stepped-up police drive and aiming to regain control there.
Jharkhand Police spokesperson RK Mallik also admitted that police feared major attacks by the rebels.
"There could major offensive by the Maoists in the state," he said.
He, however, denied Maoist incidents have gone up alarming way in the state. "There were 516, 486, 506 Maoist incidents in 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively," said Mallik.
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, in a recent letter to Chief Minister Arjun Munda, had reportedly expressed concern over the rising Maoist incident in the state. The letter was leaked to the media.
Maoists are active in 18 of Jharkhand's 24 districts.
IANS
First Published: Sunday, February 12, 2012, 21:07