Avoid wells in Maoist areas, security forces told

Ranchi, March 15 (IANS) Security forces who have expanded their drive against Maoists in Jharkhand have been told not to drink water from wells because they may have been poisoned, official sources said Monday.

The advisory came as authorities widened the scale of a massive anti-Maoist offensive in the state, from the initial three districts to several parts of the state.

A police officer told IANS that the security personnel had also been told to take help from locals to understand the jungle terrain and to avoid landmines while trekking in forested areas.

The official added: "The aim of the operation is to regain the areas of Maoist dominance and zero in on them in specified areas."

The sources said that the security forces had destroyed six Maoist camps and seized a huge cache of arms besides arresting some Maoist commanders.

The operation, which is also taking place in West Bengal, started in West Singhbhum, East Singhbhum and Bokaro districts of Jharkhand last week.

It has since been extended to several other places including Ranchi, West Singhbhum, Khuti, Latehar, Chatra and Hazaribagh.