‘Our resolve to fight Maoists is stronger’

The Maoist attack on security personnel at the Silda camp in Paschim Medinipur district on Monday has only made the State government’s resolve “to fight the terrorists” stronger, though a preliminary report of the incident suggests the possibility of a security lapse.

There is now no question of any talks with the Maoists, State Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen said.

Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai has sought from the West Bengal government a report on the attack, which will be sent to the Centre either later in the day or on Wednesday, Mr. Sen added.

“I think our resolve to fight the terrorists, the forces which are trying to disrupt normal life, should get stronger,” State Chief Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakrabarti said here on Tuesday.

On the ongoing security operations, Mr. Chakrabarti said: “The intentions are the same; the programme remains the same.”

On whether the Maoist attack on the Eastern Frontier Rifles personnel would mean a cessation in security operations, Mr. Sen said: “Obviously not. This only calls for intensification of operations.”

Commenting on preliminary reports of the incident, he added: “There could be a security lapse.”

A final assessment will be made on Wednesday after State Director-General of Police Bhupinder Singh is back from the site, Mr. Sen added.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened at the Midnapore Central Jail where some Maoists are incarcerated.