New Delhi: The Left Front government
on Monday asked the Centre to immediately launch an anti-Maoist
operation in Jharkhand in tandem with the ongoing joint
operations in West Bengal, saying the Left extremists were
using their bases in the neighbouring state to launch attacks.
Noting that there was a "significant" increase in Left
extremist violence in Bengal this year, Chief Minister
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said as many as 18 police stations in
three districts were affected by Maoist violence.
Bhattacharjee, whose speech at the Conference on
Internal Security was read out in absentia by Chief Secretary
Asoke Mohan Chakraborti, said there was "a need to launch such
an operation without delay and to continue the operation in
our state."
The Chief Minister said the Maoists operating in West
Bengal were using their bases in Jharkhand to mobilise their
squads.
"The joint operation (in West Bengal) can be
successful only if a similar operation in launched in
Jharkhand in collaboration with our state," he said, adding
the operation by Central forces and the state police has
been "acclaimed by a large section of the people."
He said it (anti-maoist operation) has "restored order
in most of the villages and made it possible to restart
development work."
Noting that 59 civilians and police personnel have
been killed in Maoist violence this year as against only 29
last year, Bhattacharjee said the second phase of counter-
insurgency operation was in progress and 67 Maoists have been
arrested since the joint operation was launched on June 18.
"Intelligence inputs indicate that three squads of
20-25 armed persons are still in the area, staying mostly in
the forests," he said.
The joint operations to regain control over Lalgarh
has led to the completion of the road-opening phase, the Chief
Minister said, adding that control has been established over
the road connecting Pirakata, Bhimpur, Lalgarh, Kantapahari,
Ramgarh, Kadasole, Pingboni and Goaltore.
"This had the effect of driving the Maoist squads out
of their strongholds," Bhattacharjee said.
On relief and developmental activities being carried
out in the affected areas by the Left Front government, he
said a programme was launched for distribution of dry food to
families who have lost income opportunities when the operation
was launched.
"This was followed by a programme of expediting
irrigation and forestry and the supply of drinking water and
health services," he added.
Bhattacharjee could not attend the Conference convened
by the Prime Minister due to fever. Chakraborti and Home
Secretary Ardhendu Sen attended the meeting.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, August 17, 2009, 19:12