The Hindu : National : Most Maoists in West Bengal are from other States: Buddhadeb

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Friday, Jul 15, 2005

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Most Maoists in West Bengal are from other States: Buddhadeb

By Our Special Correspondent

Administration suspects arms are being smuggled in; vigil stepped up along borders

Recent operation carried out was planned in a hideout in Jharkhand hills
Militancy confined to three south-western districts

Chief Minister admits intelligence lapses prior to Maoist attacks

KOLKATA: : A large majority of the Maoist militants operating in certain parts of West Bengal belong to States such as Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand. A recent operation they carried out in the State was planned in a hideout on the hills of Jharkhand, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said here on Thursday.

He was referring to the twin attacks by Maoists in the districts of Purulia and Bankura last week. Three leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) were shot dead in the incident. A senior police official was killed when a packet abandoned by the fleeing militants exploded as he was examining it.

Maoist militancy is mainly confined to the three south-western districts of Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore that share a border with Jharkhand. Those involved in the killings were reportedly led by a Telugu-speaking personand are believed to have fled to Jharkhand.

Replying to a call-attention notice on last week's Maoist operations, Mr. Bhattacharjee told the Assembly that the killings were to avenge the recent arrest of two top members of the outfit. The arrests were a major setback to Maoists who were reportedly trying to set up bases in parts of the State. The West Bengal Government has been reiterating that most Maoist militants operating in the State are from outside West Bengal and have no links with those involved in the naxalite movement. Vigil has been stepped up along the State's borders with Jharkhand and Orissa, through which the Maoists are reported to be trying to set up a corridor linking their bases in Andhra Pradesh to parts of West Bengal.

The administration also suspects that sophisticated arms and explosives being used by the activists are smuggled in.

The Chief Minister admitted in the House that there had been lapses on the part of the intelligence agencies prior to the Maoist attacks.

At a meeting with senior police officials earlier this week, he underlined the need to tone up the local intelligence network, particularly in areas bordering Jharkhand.

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