Thaindian News

Kolkata, July 5 (IANS) Maoists in three western districts of West Bengal, on the back foot after killing and arrests of many of their leading members over the past two years, have started regrouping, police said Tuesday.

“Taking advantage of the dense forest cover during the monsoon, the Maoists who were in safe shelters to evade arrests have started regrouping,” West Midnapore Additional Police Superintendent Mukesh Kumar said.

“They are even holding meetings after dusk to unite their cadres in several parts of the district (West Midnapore), especially in Jhargram sub-division,” he added.

West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura are known to be Maoist-affected districts.

Patrolling by the state police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) since the launch of the anti-Maoist operation in June 2009 led to killings and arrests of several Maoist leaders, forcing the guerrillas to carry out activities from their hideouts.

Kumar said that as the joint operation was not being resumed since March when the assembly elections were announced, the rebels, backed by several pro-Maoist organisations, have started regrouping in the area.

“We have information that state committee members and second-rank leaders of the CPI-Maoist (Communist Party of India-Maoist) like Akash, Bikash, Suchitra Mahato, Madan Mahato and Jayanta Mahato have started regrouping their activists and sympathisers in Jhargram, Jamboni and Nayagram,” the police officer told IANS over phone.

At present there are around 35 companies of CRPF personnel deployed in West Midnapore district.

“We have already sent a report to our higher authorities and can’t divulge it before media. We are conducting area domination exercises in the Maoist-affected areas, and the joint operations have been intensified,” said Purulia’s Superintendent of Police Sunil Chowdhury.

Members of the pro-Maoist tribal body People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) and its women’s wing have increased their activities with the help of Bondi Mukti Committee and other organisations, another officer said.

“Maoists are also taking advantage of the situation to win back the tribal support,” another officer added.

He said the activities of the Maoists are still under control in West Midnapore district’s Sankrail, Goaltore and Lalgarh — the epicentre of the Maoist movement in the state.

“With reports of increased Maoist activities in the area, joint patrolling of the security personnel has been resumed for the past six days,” Kumar said.

“We seized arms, ammunition and explosives Sunday from Asupal forest in Jhargram. No rebels could be arrested as they left the spot before the forces reached there,” he added.

“We have some information about the mobility of Maoists in the forested areas. As the weather is conducive, they have started building up contacts with the committee members and holding meetings. We have alerted the security personnel and raids are being carried out according to specific information,” Bankura’s Superintendent of Police Pranav Kumar told IANS.