Maoists are regrouping in the Junglemahal area of West Bengal after being in hibernation for nearly four years, according to intelligence reports.
“There has been a surge in their activities in the past six months. We have specific reports of their movements both individually and in small groups, especially in Binpur, Lalgarh, and parts of Purulia,” a senior CRPF officer, overseeing anti-Maoist operations in the State, told PTI.
Joint forces of CRPF and West Bengal Police have been conducting raids in the Junglemahal area, which comprises forested parts of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts, to keep a tab on Maoist activities, the officer said on condition of anonymity.
Maoist activities ebbed in the State after the ‘Operation Green Hunt’ was launched with the joint forces mounting attacks on the Left-wing rebels, killing many including CPI (Maoist) politburo member Kishenji. Kishenji, who was leading the rebels’ activities in the State, was killed in an encounter with the joint forces on November 24, 2011. The State had witnessed a spurt in Maoist violence towards the end of 2008.
“I can’t say that they are not regrouping. Because they have been making efforts to regroup for quite some time. But we are on high alert and there has been no instance of Maoist violence in Junglemahal area in last four years,” IG (CRPF) West Bengal sector Vivek Sahay told PTI.
The latest intelligence reports said the ultras were trying to form small groups in the area and rebuild their movement from the scratch.
- PTI
