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 is 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.
