A villager died and another suffered injuries after an improvised explosive device (IED) allegedly planted by Maoists exploded in Bulbul forest, around 50km from the district headquarters under Peshrar police station area of Lohardaga district.
The deceased has been identified as Etwa Parhiya, 22, while the injured has been identified as Sooraj Parhiya (20).
The duo had gone to the forest to cut bamboo with four other friends of the same age group when the incident occurred on Thursday noon. The injured was admitted to Sadar Hospital in Lohardaga, around 90km from the state capital and closer to the Latehar district border.
Superintendent of police Priyadarshi Alok confirmed the incident saying police came to know about it on Friday morning through a villager.
“We came to know about the incident and recovered the body. Maoists had apparently used a pressure device and so when the duo walked on the IED it exploded. Four accompanying the victims are safe,” Alok said.
A cop said primary investigation suggests, hand of Maoist commander Ravindra Ganjhu carrying an award of Rs 15 lakh on his head, behind the incident. “A squad of Ganjhu is active in the forest connecting Latehar, Gumla, Lohardaga, Garhwa, Palamau. It is because of his presence, earlier a bridge was blown up before elections in Gumla,” the official said.
