<p>Hemant Soren on Friday became the first Jharkhand chief minister to visit the ‘Budha Pahad’ – once a Maoist hotbed that was freed from the red rebels’ control by security forces after over three decades – situated near the border with Chhattisgarh, officials said.</p>.<p>Soren arrived at the hilltop a little after noon, where the CRPF has now set up a camp, they said.</p>.<p>He is expected to launch a slew of welfare schemes in ‘Budha Pahad’, located around 150 km from state capital Ranchi, along the Latehar and Garhwa districts.</p>.<p>Security forces managed to free the area from the grip of Maoists through three special operations that were launched since the beginning of April 2022.</p>.<p>A total of 14 Maoists were killed, while 590 others were either apprehended or had surrendered during these operations, the officials said.</p>.<p>Earlier attempts to drive out the red rebels from ‘Budha Pahad’ did not materialise due to its difficult terrain, they added.</p>
<p>Hemant Soren on Friday became the first Jharkhand chief minister to visit the ‘Budha Pahad’ – once a Maoist hotbed that was freed from the red rebels’ control by security forces after over three decades – situated near the border with Chhattisgarh, officials said.</p>.<p>Soren arrived at the hilltop a little after noon, where the CRPF has now set up a camp, they said.</p>.<p>He is expected to launch a slew of welfare schemes in ‘Budha Pahad’, located around 150 km from state capital Ranchi, along the Latehar and Garhwa districts.</p>.<p>Security forces managed to free the area from the grip of Maoists through three special operations that were launched since the beginning of April 2022.</p>.<p>A total of 14 Maoists were killed, while 590 others were either apprehended or had surrendered during these operations, the officials said.</p>.<p>Earlier attempts to drive out the red rebels from ‘Budha Pahad’ did not materialise due to its difficult terrain, they added.</p>