'Bihar now free of Maoists,' says CRPF DG Kuldiep Singh; Amit Shah lauds forces' success
Singh further said that through three special operations – 'Operation Octopus', 'Operation Thunderstorm' and 'Operation Bulbul' – launched since April this year, the security forces have freed Burha Pahad along the Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh border from the control of the rebels.
FollowCentral Reserve Police Force (CRPF) director general Kuldiep Singh on Wednesday said Bihar is now free from Left Wing Extremism. He said that while Maosists may have some presence in the form of extortion gangs, there is no place in the eastern state where the rebel outfit is dominating.
Addressing a press conference on successes achieved by security forces against Left Wing Extremism, Singh said there is no place in Bihar and Jharkhand that is impenetrable.
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"We can say that now Bihar is Naxal free. They may have a presence in the form of extortion gangs, but there is no place in Bihar where Naxals have domination. There is no place in Bihar and Jharkhand where forces cannot reach," the CRPF DG said.
Singh further said that through three special operations – 'Operation Octopus', 'Operation Thunderstorm' and 'Operation Bulbul' – launched since April this year, the security forces have freed Burha Pahad along the Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh border from the control of the rebels.
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"Burha Pahad was dominated by the Naxals for past 32 years. A permanent base has been set-up there in last two days under Operation Octopus and troops have been sent there through helicopter," he said.
Soon after the CRPF's address, Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to Twitter to commend the role of the security forces in their fight against Naxals. "Zero tolerance policy of Home Ministry against terrorism and Left-wing extremism (LWE) will continue," Shah wrote on Twitter in Hindi.
Singh said the incidents of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) have come down significantly. “There have been 77% reduction. In 2009, it was at an all-time high of 2258, which has come down to 509 at present. Death rate has come down by 85%,” he added.
