Kolkata: The West Bengal government is
planning to intensify the offensive against Maoists in Lalgarh
in West Midnapore district after the Assembly elections in
Jharkhand.
"After the Jharkhand elections, we are expecting some
additional companies of the paramilitary in our state. Once
we get the forces, we will intensify the offensive," state DGP
Bhupinder Singh told newsmen here today.
He did not, however, specify how many additional
companies of central forces would be available for West Bengal
after the Jharkhand elections.
West Bengal police and central paramilitary forces
began an anti-Maoist offensive in West Midnapore on June 19
this year which was still continuing.
In reply to a question, the DGP said the situation in
Lalgarh and its adjoining areas was under control, but armed
Maoists were still present.
On the night of November 15, suspected Maoists
kidnapped five persons, including a gram panchayat member and
a CPI-M functionary near Jhargram.
While three of them were later released unharmed, two
others are still untraced.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, November 19, 2009, 22:01