New Delhi: Security forces fear that the
Naxal activity will increase by the end of the monsoon season
which had somewhat restricted the movement of ultras in the
thickly forested areas.
Official sources said in states like Chhattisgarh,
Jharkhand, West Bengal and Orissa, where Naxals wield
considerable fire power, movement of the security forces and
the left-wing extremists had been restricted because of the
monsoon.
Most of the areas have single roads which were affected
by heavy rains. The areas in interior parts were marooned in
flood water and slush and hence, the movement of both security
forces and Naxals were limited, they said.
But now that the monsoon season is nearing its end, the
waterlogged areas will dry down making movement in the forests
easier.
Sources said unlike earlier, the Naxals this time were
active even if on a lower scale compared to pre-monsoon days.
Because of the monsoon, the green cover in the forests
thickens which at times can be of help for camouflage and a perfect setting for laying ambushes.
Sources said the Naxals during the monsoon period go on a
propaganda spree visiting various villagers and organising
plays to allure more people into their cadre.
The period is also used by the Naxals to re-strategise
and plan their next course of action.
The government had condemned the Naxal violence during
the recent two-day bandh called by the left-wing extremists in
six states terming them as "despicable" and "desperate acts".
"The Government of India condemns these despicable and
desperate acts on the part of CPI (Maoist), and reassures its
commitment to root out this menace in its entirety," an
official statement had said.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, September 19, 2010, 11:22