Villagers in Jharkhand Launch Aggressive Movement Against Maoists in West Singhbhum; 10 Reportedly Dead
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Chaibasa, Dec 12 (NationPress) An aggressive movement spearheaded by villagers against extremists, Maoists, and illegal traders has escalated in the Gudri, Tebo, Goilkera, Sonua, and Anandpur regions of Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district.
Equipped with traditional arms such as bows, arrows, spears, and axes, thousands of villagers are patrolling the forested area, covering approximately 40 kilometers, and are reportedly conducting 'Jan Adalats (people’s courts) to apprehend and execute suspects.
According to reports, around 10 individuals have been killed in the past 10 days.
However, West Singhbhum Superintendent of Police (SP), Ashutosh Shekhar, stated that no bodies have been recovered yet despite extensive searches for the remains.
“There is information regarding killings in the forest regions. A campaign is ongoing to recover the bodies. Until we retrieve them, we cannot officially confirm these incidents,” he mentioned.
The situation has escalated to the extent that villagers have imposed an undeclared curfew, prohibiting outsiders from entering the area. Anyone apprehended with a mobile phone or suspected of engaging in illegal activities is reportedly executed immediately.
On Wednesday, villagers allegedly detained two youths from Odisha who had arrived in Goilkera in Chaibasa.
Sheikh Shahid Ali and Sheikh Nazir, both from Rairangpur, Odisha, were reported missing on Tuesday. Their families have expressed concerns, fearing they may have been killed after being mistaken for cattle smugglers. They have reached out to the SPs of Mayurbhanj and Chaibasa for intervention.
Previously, it was reported that the area commander of the banned People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI), Mota Tiger, along with his associate Gomia and six other militants, were killed by the villagers.
Jharkhand BJP President, Babulal Marandi, has shared a video allegedly depicting the violent actions of the villagers.
On social media platform X, Marandi stated, “The situation in the Gudri region of West Singhbhum district has turned extremely tense and alarming. A significant conflict is ongoing between PLFI and Maoist factions over illegal activities such as opium cultivation, cannabis farming, and sand mining. Reports indicate that over 22 individuals are missing, with more than 10 already confirmed dead.”
Referring to the alleged murder of the Odisha residents, he remarked, “The video of this horrific killing is so disturbing that it cannot be shared publicly. However, I have shared a screenshot and am prepared to provide the video to the authorities if necessary.”
“This type of situation is not only challenging the law and order in the region but is also fostering an atmosphere of fear and insecurity within the local community,” he added.
Marandi has urged Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the Jharkhand Director General of Police (DGP) to take immediate measures to control the situation in the area.
