Maoists set up techinical unit in Jharkhand

Ranchi, Sep 5 Maoist rebels have set up central technical units (CTU) in Jharkhand to repair weapons and manufacture landmines and grenades.The units have been set up in four districts of the state, intelligence reports said. The outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) rebels have also set up a mobile CTU, which is shifted from one place to another, particularly in the jungles.'The first CTU was established by Maoist rebels in Andhra Pradesh a few years ago.

CTU helps Maoists to get their weapons repaired,' a police official involved in anti-Maoist operations told IANS.He said Maoist rebels have already appointed skilled persons having knowledge of repairing rifles, pistols, self-loading rifles, AK47s, AK56s etc.The CTUs have expertise in developing hi-tech landmines, grenades and other explosive materials used in detonating landmines. The four districts where CTUs have been set up are Ranchi, Lohadagga, Gumla and Latehar.

The mobile CTU operates in Saranda jungle, bordering Orissa and West Bengal.The state police headquarter has alerted the district police chiefs and asked them to launch operations to destroy these CTU units.Maoist rebels are active in 16 of the 22 districts in Jharkhand.

EarthTimes