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Bihar : PWG carries out fresh attack despite CM’s warning |
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Concerned at the repeated attacks by the People’s War Group (PWG) Chief Minister Rabri Devi had assured the people that the Government will act tough to stamp out the Naxal menace. But undeterred, the Naxal group carried out another attack, the second within the space of a month. A landmine blast engineered by the PWG killed six police personnel, including one Assistant Sub-Inspector in Chadhata village near Bela in Gaya district. The PWG had carried out a landmine blast in Jagpura on October 19 killing six police constables. The police party, was on special patrol duty in the area of Berachi Bigaha and Bhuiyan Toli when it was attacked by PWG men. The party began a strategic retreat, at which point the landmine exploded killing six and seriously injuring two.
The Naxalites also took away arms belonging to the ill-fated police party, including four SLRs, one stengun and one revolver, besides six hand-grenades. The Bihar Policemen Association (BPA) is angry that the Rabri Devi Government has not followed up on its promise to take steps against the Naxalite menace following the Jagpura mine blast. At that time, the Rabri Devi Government had promised to strengthen the police outposts, but nothing has come of it as yet, the police said. The state Government had promised to strengthen the police system in the extremist prone districts of Gaya, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Arwal, Nawada, Bhojpur, Patna and Bhabhua. But, so far, no tangible change has happened on the ground.
The BPA reviewed the situation and has sent a high-level team to the site of the attack. There is widespread anger among the state’s policemen who feel let down by the Government. The general feeling is that the Government has no genuine interest in curbing the criminal and extremist activities. Meanwhile, Rabri Devi has reiterated that she will not tolerate extremism. A senior police official attributed the spurt in attacks in central Bihar to the shifting of the Naxal base from Jharkhand to this region.
Laloo to make political capital out of surrender to court
Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Laloo Prasad Yadav, who has been asked to surrender in a Ranchi court on November 26 in the fodder scam plans to take full political mileage out of it. Known for his gimmicks and theatrics, Laloo who once had travelled in a cycle rickshaw to the court and once on an elephant, this time plans to go in a garishly painted van (christened rath ) along with his followers to Ranchi from Patna, a distance of nearly 300 kms. All along the route he will stop at many towns, where he will be given ceremonial reception by party workers and address meetings. He will use the occasion to highlight the achievements of the state Government headed by his wife Rabri Devi. Laloo wants to show that his prosecution in the fodder scam is a politically motivated one prompted by his rivals’ desire to keep him behind the bars. Many politicians, who too had been jailed for corruption cases, have emerged as heroes. The case of AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa, who was convicted in one of the corruption cases and emerged victorious in the assembly elections trouncing the DMK is cited by RJD supporters who feel Laloo will come out of jail with his popularity undiminished. Unlike in Bihar, under the rule of the RJD, in Jharkhand where the BJP is in power, Laloo may not get the royal treatment in Ranchi. He may not be allowed visitors or permitted the use of cell phone.
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