Ranchi, June 7: A CRPF trooper and a Jharkhand policeman were killed during a shootout with Maoists in Khuti district on Thursday, officials said.

The incident occurred near Jamro village around 6.50 a.m. when a joint team of the Central Reserve Police Force's 209 CoBRA Battalion and Jharkhand Police was on a search and area dominance operation.

CRPF trooper Utpal Rabha, 27, died on the spot in the firing by Maoists while the policeman, whose name is yet to be announced, succumbed to his injuries later, a CRPF official said.

A police officer said the gun battle lasted three hours and that some Maoist guerrillas also sustained bullet injuries.

The bodies have reached Ranchi, the CRPF said. Security forces were continuing to look for the Maoists.

The CRPF said that Rabha, from North Garo Hills in Meghalaya, joined it in 2011.




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Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday raised questions over maintenance of the Taj Mahal in Agra and attacked the Yogi Adityanath government saying it should be a "living and active" example, not just a "monument".

Yadav, who shared a viral video in which a plant could be seen sprouting from the dome of the Taj Mahal, said the monument might develop cracks due to the roots.

In a post on X, he said, "The BJP government and its dormant departments have completely failed to maintain the Taj Mahal, the wonder that attracts tourists from all over the world."

Yadav went on to say, "There is a possibility of rusting of the metal of the urn on the main dome. Water is dripping from the main dome. There is news of plants growing in the dome. If the roots of trees like these grow, then the Taj Mahal may crack."

He also highlighted problems of monkey menace and water logging in the Taj Mahal complex.

"The Taj Mahal complex has become a sanctuary for monkeys. There is a problem of waterlogging in the Taj Mahal complex. The tourists are worried whether they should admire the Taj Mahal or deal with the problems," Yadav said, adding due to all these reasons, the country's image is tarnished at the global level. ⁠

Last week, the main dome of the Taj witnessed water seepage due to incessant rains but officials said there was no damage to the arched roof.

Yadav asked where crores of rupees of funds that come for the maintenance of Taj Mahal are going.

"The government should be a living and active example, not just a monument," he added.