Maoists have struck again in the Saranda jungles of West Singhbhum, setting ablaze a mobile tower in Kolbonga village under Jaraikela police station late Sunday night. The attack comes amid the outlawed group’s ongoing ‘resistance week’, being observed across five states, including Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Assam.
According to police sources, a group of armed Maoists arrived in the village, threatened local residents, and set fire to the mobile tower after pouring petrol on it. The incident has led to a complete breakdown of mobile network services in the area, leaving residents cut off from communication.
Police officials described the incident as an act of desperation. “The Maoists are surrounded by security forces from all sides. Their latest move reflects frustration as operations to eliminate their presence in Saranda continue,” an official said.
Security forces have launched a search operation in the region to track down those involved in the attack.
The incident follows a series of recent violent acts in the Maoist-hit district. On Friday, Maoists triggered four IED blasts targeting security personnel in the same region. Head Constable Mahendra Laskar succumbed to his injuries, while two other officers were critically injured and later airlifted to Delhi for treatment.
Officials believe the surge in Maoist activity is aimed at demonstrating their continued presence in the Saranda jungles — once considered a Maoist stronghold — where joint anti-Maoist operations by state police and central forces have intensified in recent months.
The extremists have also announced a one-day bandh on October 15, marking the culmination of their ‘resistance week’ campaign.
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