Ranchi/Kolkata: The Maoists have retreated
from the Jharkhand-West Bengal border in the face of joint
operations against them, but the drive is yet to begin within
West Bengal.
"It has been five days since the operations began in
the border areas, but the Maoists have avoided direct
confrontation with police because they are not in a position
to take on such a massive mobilisation of personnel," a senior
Central intelligence official said today in Ranchi.
There have been instances when the Maoists engaged the
police during combing, but none was reported during the
ongoing operations. "They have retreated from the
Jharkhand-West Bengal border," he said.
"There are also inputs about some Maoists, who depend on
food from villagers, slipping away to urban areas for shelter
as they might starve if they remained behind in hideouts and
if the operations prolong and extend to new areas."
Asked about the possibility of strikes, he said,
"Maoists might strike only when the operation ends."
Meanwhile, West Bengal Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen told
reporters in Midnapore that operations in areas bordering
Jharkhand and Orissa have taken place with the cooperation of
the respective state governments.
Stating that 'Operation Green Hunt' was yet to begin
within West Bengal, Sen said, "We will shortly finalise plans
for operations against the Maoists in West Midnapore after
holding discussions with administrative and police officials.
West Bengal has 27 companies of central forces and 20
companies of state forces, he said adding that additional six
companies of Central forces have arrived, but "we have asked
for more".
PTI
First Published: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 23:56