Koda talks to Nitish over naxalite problem

Ranchi, Oct 27 (UNI) Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda urged his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar to launch a combing operation against the CPI(Maoist) ultras operating there following today's naxalite attack which claimed 18 lives.

Talking to reporters here before leaving for Giridih, Mr Koda said he had called up Mr Kumar to deploy more security forces in the border areas.

The site of the incident is near Jamui district of Bihar, also a naxal affected area, Mr Koda said.

Condemning the attack, Mr Koda said the CPI(Maoist) were under immense pressure due to recent anti-naxal operation conducted by the state government.

''Recent arrest and killing of their top-rung hardcore leaders had frustrated the outfit forcing them to indulge in such cowardly act,'' Mr Koda said.

Raids were being conducted in the area to nab them, he added.

UNI