By IANS,
Ranchi : Operations against Maoist guerrillas in Jharkhand continued “as usual”, state police officials clarified Thursday following reports that action against the rebels had been halted after Chief Minister Shibu Soren took office.
“Operations against Maoist guerrillas are going on as usual. There is no question of stopping them,” police spokesperson V.H. Deshmukh told IANS. “Preparations are underway for special operations against Maoist guerrillas.”
Government sources added that Maoist operations had been halted in some areas where special preparations are underway.
Chief Minister Shibu Soren had Sunday sent out confusing signals when he said before leaving for New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh: “Any operation could take place only when Maoists are identified.”
Soren became chief minister on Dec 30, when he said: “We will talk to the central government over operations against Maoists. Any such operation cannot take place without the consent of the state government.”
Home Minister P. Chidambaram Tuesday hoped that the new government in Jharkhand would face up to the Maoist threat following the landmine explosion triggered by the rebels last week where seven police personnel and a civilian were killed.