Tracking down the Naxalites is not easy. Most don’t use their own names and it’s difficult to zero-in on them. But that’s just one of the problem. What really frustrates the security forces is when the Naxalites cross the boundaries of Jharkhand and take refuge in neighbouring states.

“Most in their cadres have very little to do with ideology, They have formed bands, striking in one state and taking shelter in another. It’s a multi-million extortion racket and they mostly target corrupt government officials, contractors and businessmen,” said a police official.

On the Union Home Ministry’s directions, Jharkhand had signed MOUs with Orissa and Chhattisgarh to form a Joint Task Force and share inputs, communication and assist each other in anti-Naxal operations.

“Due to this mechanism, we succeeded in nabbing several hardcore Naxals,” said DIG R K Mallick. “Efforts are on to set up a separate force such as the Greyhounds in Andhra Pradesh. It can move from one area to another in search of the Naxals.”

But that may take some time. A STF staffer at Tamar said fighting in the hills was a problem. “We are trained to fight in the plains, not in forest and hills,” he said.

The 40 chowkidars, all from Tamar, were also supposed to gather information and relay it to the police station. But they hardly ever come up with any input on the Naxalites. Asked why they had failed, chowkidar Sonaram Mahato, 55, said: “If it becomes known that a villager is trying to pass on information, he is called a traitor and killed by the Naxalites. Many informants have been murdered, so no villager wants to cooperate with us.”

... contd.