Jharkhand govt to award cops

Ranchi, June 28 (UNI) The Jharkhand government has announced Rs 4 lakh award for its 200 police personnel, who fought the CPI(Maoist) ultras at Jhumra Pahad in Bokaro on June 26.

Director General of Police (DGP) B D Ram today said the award was a token of appreciation for the jawans' gallant job they have done during the ambush.

Mr Ram said the ultras had been preparing for the assault for a long time and attacked the CRPF camp in Jhumra Pahad. ''We got the information and retaliated promptly,'' he said adding about 10,000 rounds were exchanged between the two sides.

When asked about steps taken to contain such incidents, he said police were now trying to vacate Parasnath, which had been used as hideouts by the naxalites before Jhumra.

As information on militants using corridors of inter-state boundaries, he said the inter-state task force also had been able to curb movement of such elements.

To a question, he ruled out any allegation from the West Bengal government that Naxalites from Jharkhand often sneaked into that state and returned safely after carrying out their operation.

'' I often see such news in media and if my countrpart in West Bengal seeks my cooperation I am ready to offer help'', he said.

He said interrogation of the people nabbed following the ambush had led to many vital information about the naxalites' next course of action.

UNI PRS JYN PC MSJ RAI1946