Bihar: Anti-Maoist Operation Vishwas launched

Security forces of Bihar, neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand have launched a joint Operation Vishwas to apprehend Maoists in the wake of hundreds of people in Naxal-hit Rohtas district having escaped from their villages in fear of the ultras, a police official said on Saturday.

The operation was being carried out by the Special Task Force, Cobra battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force and the police units of three states with helicopter assistance in the contagious forest areas, ranging from Kaimur and Rohtas districts in Bihar, Palamau district in Jharkhand and Robertsganj district in Uttar Pradesh, said Manu Maharaj, superintendent of police, Rohtas.

The drive against the Naxalites had been launched to restore confidence of the people about the Bihar government that it remained serious to the issue of their security, he said.

The homeless people, numbering around 400 from villages under Rohtas, Nauhatta and Chenari police station areas of the district fled from their houses in fear of attack by the Naxalites and were now lodged at a camp in Chenari block, the Rohtas SP said.