Huge cache of Maoist arms busted in Bihar

Gaya (Bihar), Mar 29 (ANI): Police seized a huge cache of arms, ammunitions and belongings of Maoists after destroying their hideouts In Bihar's Gaya District.

In a joint operation of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) on Sunday, eight hideouts of Maoists were destroyed in Dhakanchuan jungle of Gaya district.

One of the hideouts was their manufacturing unit of arms and ammunitions.

The joint forces also seized arms, detonators, hydrogen lights, water tanks, electric wires and daily items used by the Maoists.

According to the CRPF personnel, the Maoists were using these hideouts as training camps. The cache of arms and their belongings were seized from only six hideouts.

"We have destroyed many caves of theirs but we have received this huge cache from only six caves. These caves here are their hideouts, where they used to stay along with their daily use products," said Vijay Kumar, Commandant, 159 battalion of CRPF.

Earlier, the Maoists had called for a 48-hour shutdown in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, and three districts of Maharashtra, protesting against the Union Government's Operation Green Hunt.

The Maoist rebels had on February 22 offered a conditional 72-day ceasefire through the media, and said they are willing to talk to the government if it aborts Operation Green Hunt. Many believe the truce offer is a ruse to regroup.

The Maoists contend they are fighting for the rights of the poor, marginal farmers and the landless labourers. (ANI)