Ranchi, Jan 1: Jharkhand Police has destroyed 15 Naxalite camps during an encounter with Maoists in the State.

The camps were destroyed during the encounter near Parasnath Hills in Jharkhand’s Girdih District, said a police official.

According to Inspector General of Police (Bokaro range) B Pradhan, about 250 Naxalites exchanged fire with security forces.

He further added that about 10 can and clamour bombs were recovered.

In December last year, describing left wing extremism as the single biggest security challenge to the country, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had asked the State Governments to establish specialised dedicated forces to tackle it.

“These forces should be led by capable, highly motivated officers who can imbue the necessary fighting spirit in their personnel. The Home Ministry will provide all possible assistance to these forces. States also need to consider joint operations and joint mechanisms for effective police operations in appropriate cases,” Dr. Singh said.

Stressing upon the need to choke the support infrastructure of the Naxal groups, the Prime Minister had said that forest operations, tendu patta operations and contractors in interior areas are particularly vulnerable to extortion.

Dr Singh had also called upon the need to check the Naxal groups’ attempts to recruit local sympathisers.

West Bengal and Jharkhand police forces recently decided to allow free movement of police officials in the Maoist-hit areas of the two States to crackdown on Naxalites.

The ultras often escape into other State taking advantage of forest-covered border after attacking in one State.

Three districts of Jharkhand’s Kolhan range and three districts of West Bengal are badly affected by Naxal activities. (ANI)