Even as the Maoist violence continues unabated in the Jungle Mahal area, four companies of Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), a specialised unit of the CRPF to counter the Naxal menace in the country, has seen little action in the absence of specific intelligence inputs for which it depends on the state CID and the state Intelligence Bureau.

In the past four moths, the four companies of CoBRA have just made five forays. Unlike the Greyhounds, who fight Naxals in Andhra Pradesh, the CoBRA does not have an intelligence wing of its own.

“Our force cannot operate in the Jungle Mahal area due to lack of ground intelligence. The commandos are mostly confined to the barracks. We have been asking for specific inputs from the state intelligence agencies for a long time, but to no avail,” said a senior officer leading the CoBRA units in West Midnapore.

However, the state government has sent a proposal to the Centre asking for four more CoBRA companies for deployment in West Midnapore district.

State DGP Bhupindar Singh said, “We have been asked by the CoBRA commandos to provide specific inputs. The state intelligence agencies have been alerted about it. In view of the vulnerable situation in the Jungle Mahal area, we have asked the Centre for additional four companies of CoBRA.”

A senior Union home ministry offcial, however, said, “No decision has been taken about sending additional forces of CoBRA to the state as the Centre would evaluate how the present CoBRA forces are operating in the state.”

... contd.