UditVani, Jamshedpur : In a fresh show of defiance, armed cadres of the CPI (Maoist) disrupted road connectivity in Manoharpur block of West Singhbhum district late on Wednesday night by felling trees across a key rural route and putting up posters carrying threats and warnings against the administration and security forces.
According to sources, the incident occurred in a forested stretch between Manoharpur and Jaraikela.
Commuters found the route completely blocked early Thursday morning, with several large trees cut down and posters in red ink nailed to trunks and electric poles.
The posters bore the CPI (Maoist) insignia and accused the government of “anti-tribal policies,” warning of “strong retaliation” if security operations continued in the Kolhan region.
Local residents alerted the police after spotting the blockade.
A team from Manoharpur police station, along with CRPF personnel, reached the spot and cleared the road after hours of effort.
The posters were seized for forensic and intelligence analysis. Sources said the security forces had no prior information about Maoist movement in the area, raising concerns about intelligence lapses.
Following the incident, police have intensified patrolling and search operations in the bordering forest zones of Goelkera, Tonto, and Manoharpur, which remain known Maoist strongholds.
A senior police officer from Chaibasa confirmed the incident, saying, “It appears to be an attempt by Maoists to assert their presence and create fear before the upcoming by-elections. We are conducting combing operations to track the movement of the group responsible.”
The region has witnessed a spike in Maoist activity in recent weeks, with similar incidents of road obstruction, poster campaigns, and occasional IED recoveries reported from adjoining areas of Tonto and Goelkera.
Security agencies believe the group is trying to regain ground in the Kolhan division after recent losses due to sustained anti-Naxal operations.
