Thaindian News

Kolkata, Feb 17 (IANS) The West Bengal government Wednesday admitted that it had prior information about Maoists gathering in West Midnapore’s Shilda area, where a daring attack by guerrillas left 24 paramilitary troopers dead. But it maintained that it had no knowledge that they would attack the security force camp.
“We knew about the increasing number of Maoists gathering in Shilda area. But we didn’t have any specific information that they may attack the joint forces camp there,” state Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen said after a high-level meeting here.

“It was not completely a case of intelligence failure,” he said.

Sen said the state government has ordered a detailed probe into the attack.

“The guilty shall be punished,” Sen said.

Twenty-four Eastern Frontier Rifle (EFR) personnel and a villager were killed in the audacious Maoist attack at Shilda Monday evening.

Earlier, state Director General of Police Bhupinder Singh, who also visited the camp, said the attack was “not expected”.

Singh submitted a detailed report on the attack to the union home ministry Wednesday. A two-member home ministry team visited the violence-hit region to review the post-attack situation.