Bengal demands four more CRPF companies

At a time when Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee is clamouring for withdrawal of Central forces from Maoist-affected Junglemahal alleging that the forces were helping the CPM in regaining control of the area,the state government on Tuesday asked for four more CRPF companies,in addition to the 35 companies that are already deployed there.

At a time when Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee is clamouring for withdrawal of Central forces from Maoist-affected Junglemahal alleging that the forces were helping the CPM in regaining control of the area,the state government on Tuesday asked for four more CRPF companies,in addition to the 35 companies that are already deployed there. Six companies of Naga paramilitary police are also stationed in the area besides 53 companies of state armed police.

To launch a full-fledged war on the Maoists we require these four companies, said state Home Secretry G D Gautama,who attended a security meeting.

He said it was decided to increase interaction between state and Central intelligence agencies and expedite investigations into various crimes committed by the Maoists.

The state government,meanwhile,decided not to include any officer from Army as member of the unified command to monitor anti-Naxal operations for the time being. The names of two retired Army officers were proposed by the Centre. While one of them is settled in Noida,the other is settled at Hyderabad. In that case it was not possible to make them members. And also,we have come to know that other Naxal-affected states that have set up unified commands did not opt for any Army officer, said a home department official.

Maoist killed in encounter
A Maoist was killed and another injured today in an encounter with security forces in Lalgarh in West Midnapore.

The security forces have recovered the body of the Maoist and arrested an injured Maoist.

Manoj Verma,SP (West Midnapore),said: We had information that Maoists were camping at Kakradhara village near Lalgarh. Our raid began in night but the Maoists opened fire at us. Our forces retaliated and the cross firing continued till 7 am. Security personnel also conducted a raid at Baxibandh forest. The members of squad of Tota Hembram were hiding in the Bakshirbandh forest in Lalgarh. Tota,however,managed to escape, said police. The police also recovered arms and ammunition from the spot.

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