The latest crackdown in April this year, killing eight Naxal operatives, including Vivek, a Central Committee member of CPI (Maoist) carrying a bounty of Rs 1 crore, in Lugu Pahar area of Bokaro, created panic among the Maoist cadre, officials asserted. This was the first instance that a Maoist with a reward of such magnitude was killed in an exchange of fire.Sources said the continuous police crackdown has spread panic among Naxalites, especially after recent encounters in areas like Bokaro, Latehar and Palamu. There are also reports that many among the Maoist folds are considering to surrender before cops and return to the mainstream.Notably, Maoists are now restricted only to Saranda jungles in Jharkhand. According to an estimate, around 90 Maoists are said to be hiding in Saranda jungles, where they have planted thousands of IEDs, making it nearly inaccessible.
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