Jamshedpur: An encounter was today reported between a joint CRPF-police team and maoists in naxal-stronghold Saranda forest of Jharkhand on the eve of a 48-hr bandh called by the maoists from tomorrow in protest against the Nandigram killing in West Bengal.

The encounter took place in course of a combing operation in Saranda forest, West Singhbhum police superintendent, Sudhir Kumar Jha said. A long-range patrolling team, comprising district police and CRPF personnel, retaliated when the maoists started firing at them on seeing them approaching Hinburu where they were positioned, Jha said.

The ultras made a hasty retreat in view of the mounting pressure from the forces, the SP said. Two rifles, live cartridges and two can-bombs were recovered following the encounter, which lasted for over half an hour, Jha said. He said no one from the police camp was harmed in the encounter.

Meanwhile, security arrangement in east and west Singhbhum districts have been beefed up in view of the bandh. Sub-divisional police officer of extremist-hit Ghatsi, a sub-division (East Singhbhum), Anand Joseph Tigga said adequate security arrangement have been made in view of the bandh called by the maoists.

Source : PTI