PATNA: The second wave of Covid pandemic not only wreaked havoc on common people, but also instilled fear in the minds of Maoists in the state and forced them to remain in their hideouts.
Sources in state police headquarters said Maoists had remained mostly unaffected during the first phase of the pandemic last year, but several of them fell ill in the second wave.
A senior IPS officer said the fear of pandemic among Maoists could be gauged from the fact that they have barred their sympathisers, logistic suppliers and villagers to come around their hideouts in jungles.
“We have got to know that the Maoists direct villagers to keep the supplies or ration for daily use at a particular spot.
They then pick up those items only after villagers return.
The pandemic has limited their activities in the state,” the officer said.
He added though several Maoist cadres and commanders had got infected in the second wave, there was no report of any death.
“Maoists did get infected with Covid-19.
This was established from their communication interceptions.
However, none had come out of hideouts for treatment in any hospital,” he said.
The officer added security agencies got to know from surveillance that Maoists were procuring medicines in jungles.
“Some people supplying these medicines to Maoists were also intercepted near Chhakarbandha hills at Gaya-Aurangabad border,” he said.
ADG (operation) Sushil Mansingh Khopde said there were inputs that one or two cadres had died, but nothing is confirmed.
“Several Maoists were symptomatic and suffering from cold and cough.
This happened when the second wave was at its peak in April and May,” he said.
Gaya ASP (operation) Dharmendra Kumar Jha said reports about deaths of two Maoists in jungles of Chhakarbandha at Gaya-Aurangabad border were received.
“However, these deaths were not unconfirmed.
Several attempts were made to deliver medicines to Maoists in Chhakarbandha by locals.
At least 30 Maoist cadres had fallen ill in Chhakarbandha sub-zone,” Jha said.
Arwal, Aurangabad, Banka, East Champaran, Gaya, Jamui, Jehanabad, Kaimur, Lakhisarai, Munger, Muzaffarpur, Nalanda, Nawada, Rohtas, Vaishali and West Champaran are the Maoist-hit districts in the state as per Union ministry of home affairs.
However, Maoist violence is mostly reported from Gaya, Aurangabad, Jamui, Munger and Lakhisarai.