Search operation on for escaped Maoist leader

RANCHI: State police have launched a massive search operation for CPI Maoist’s central committee member Arvindji, who escaped after a police encounter at Champipat Bans Pahar near Gurdari area of Gumla district. Additional security forces were deployed along the inter-state border and police stations along the Chhattisgarh border have been alerted a day after he escaped.
ADG operations Anil Palta said extensive search operations are going on in places neighboring the site, near Chhatisgarh border.“The Maoists might try to move towards Chhatisgarh as forces have taken over the forests after Friday encounter,” a police officer said.
Arvindji was passing from Latehar to Saranda forest in West Singhbhum district via Gumla district with a contingent of 100 Maoists carrying huge explosives and other utility items on 13 horses when the encounter began.
The police have categorically ruled out bullet injuries to Arvindji though sources said the top extremist’s ankle was hurt when he fell down from the bike he was riding during the encounter“I cannot confirm the ankle injuries unless I get some concrete inputs,” Lohardaga SP Manoj Ratan, holding charge of Gumla district, said.
A police officer said one of the bikes had blood stains indicating that someone was hurt in the Maoists’ contingent. The Maoists have not called a bandh so far in reaction to the encounter.
Police intelligence say the Maoist camp also had a doctor and they are hiding somewhere near south Gumla.
“Over 10 companies of CoBRA and CRPF personnel were pressed into the ongoing operations on Saturday. The forces scanned forests around the spot throughout the day but could not make any significant recovery,” a police officer said.