Maoists attack MP’s convoy in Chatra

Strap: Five policemen feared dead, two civilians, three jawans injured

Vijay Deo Jha/Pranav Pratyush

Ranchi

On the eve of the two-day bandh, called by the CPI (Maoist) against the alleged ‘killing’ of Kishenji, Member of Parliament Inder Singh Namdhari was attacked in the jungles of Garu near Satpatia River in Latehar district on his way to Palamau from Netarhaat on Saturday evening.

Maoists blew three landmines when the convoy of Namdhari was crossing through the Garu Jungles. Namdhari though escaped unhurt and reached Daltonganj on his vehicle, five securities personnell in the escort party are feared dead, according to sources. 

The MP was on his way back to Daltonganj when a huge explosion took place just after his vehicle crossed the area under Garu police station in Latehar district.

“I have come to know that some police personnel have been killed in the incident. We are trying to confirm it. It is also being reported that there were eight security persons in the escort party,” said Jharkhand DGP GS Rath.

“We have also received information that two civilians have received bullet injuries in the cross firing taking place at the spot of the incident,” Rath added.

Sources revealed that the two civilians included a five-year-old child and an 18-year-old girl, who were travelling in the bus that came under the cross firing.

Police had reportedly rushed to the spot within minutes and an encounter was taking place at the time of filing of this report. Additional forces had also been rushed to the spot to aid the forces, police sources added.

Namdhari, who had reached Daltonganj safely, said that he had heard an explosion behind his car. “A blast occurred behind my car and my driver did not stop sensing danger. Later we were safely escorted from the next police picket,” he was quoted as saying.