Maoists Hub Kantapahari Seized; Closed Services Resume
Security forces have eventually got hold of the Maoists hub Kantapahari in the wee hours of Tuesday without facing any resistance, some 48 hours after Ramgarh was seized.
The forces, which were cautiously marching towards Kantapahari from Lalgarh and Ramgarh simultaneously to make a two-pronged offensive, faced no resistance except a mine blast – in which no one was wounded – a few felled trees and dug up roads as a mark of opposition. Besides, three mines were spotted at Shijua, of which were diffused.
Inner circle of the area, after taking the control, has been won back from the rebels. Chhatra-dhar Mahato, PCPA, leader is supposed to have run away to Bankura. Also, the 25 km long road that connects Lalgarh to Goaltore has been reopened. With major Maoists bases having been triumphed, police have decided to restart transport services in the area. Administrative offices will be reopened while developmental work will begin as well.
It was exactly at 6.30am that a contingent of state armed police, BSF and CRPF started for Kantapahari from Lalgarh, led by a road clearance party which swept 500 metres beyond the road on either side to check for mines.
Most houses were deserted but the troops encountered the first – and only – obstacle 800 metres from Patha-rdanga. The Ramgarh force, on other hand, closed in from the north. They had apprehended resistance in areas like Khasjangal, Dharampur and Kantapahari.
