Alert in Jharkhand as Maoists announce ‘Resistance Week’ from midnight

Jharkhand Police have been put on high alert ahead of the CPI (Maoist)’s “Resistance Week,” which begins at midnight on October 7 and will continue till October 14. The Maoist outfit has also called for a one-day shutdown on October 15 across Bihar, Jharkhand, North Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Assam.

The alert was issued after the Maoists’ eastern regional bureau spokesperson, Sanket, released a statement announcing the programme. According to the release, the campaign is being observed to protest what the group calls “fake encounters” in which several of its members, including senior leaders, were killed earlier this year.

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Addressing the media at Jharkhand Police Headquarters on Tuesday, IG (Operations) Dr. Michael Raj said that the security forces are fully prepared and the public need not panic. He said all district police units have been put on alert, and there is no significant presence of Maoists anywhere except a few pockets in Saranda. Operations are ongoing in those areas.

He added that during the Resistance Week and the bandh, Maoists usually attempt violent acts to demonstrate their presence. Accordingly, special vigilance instructions have been issued to all districts, especially those with a history of left-wing extremism such as West Singhbhum.

Jharkhand’s State Intelligence Branch has circulated an advisory to all Superintendents of Police and district units. The advisory calls for heightened surveillance and strict precautionary measures at security camps, government establishments, and critical infrastructure points. Security personnel deployed in vulnerable zones have been instructed to restrict movement only to operational duties. Camps and approach routes are to be thoroughly checked for IEDs, while highways and key roadways will be mapped based on potential Maoist influence before allowing vehicle movement.

The advisory also directs police to exercise caution in rural markets, where Maoists have in the past used ambush tactics while removing banners and posters. Security agencies have been asked to keep close watch on government offices, banks, block and subdivision offices, forest department facilities, and warehouses in Maoist-affected districts. Mobile towers in remote regions have also been marked for additional monitoring.

Police headquarters have instructed special security arrangements at railway stations, rail lines, siding points, and major highways. All transport and logistic corridors passing through Maoist-prone areas will remain under strict surveillance.

The CPI (Maoist)’s latest call comes at a time when their presence has significantly diminished in Jharkhand, confined largely to parts of West Singhbhum and adjoining forest belts. However, the police are taking no chances as the group has a history of targeting security forces and infrastructure during such observances.