Buoyed by its success in flushing out Maoists from Lalgarh, the state government is now gearing up for a joint operation with the Jharkhand Police to pursue the ultras in their strongholds of Purulia and West Midnapore districts, which share a common border with the neighbouring state.

West Bengal DGP Bhupinder Singh on Wednesday went to Ranchi and held a meeting with his Jharkhand counterpart V D Ram and other top police officers.

“I will not divulge our plan of action. But joint operations with the Jharkhand Police will take place to tackle the Maoists,” Singh told The Indian Express over phone.

Senior state police officers said following the operations in Lalgarh and its surrounding areas, Maoist leaders are trying to flee through the border forests. Though the police have sealed the border, they need co-operation from Jharkhand.

“This is not only our problem but a problem for the Jharkhand Police also. Pushing them from one side will not be effective. Our chief minister has said that the Maoists from Jharkhand operate here and escape back. So, we want both the states to act jointly against them. This will also help us enter into each others’ borders with ease,” a senior police officer said.

Singh and Raj Kanojia, IG (Law and Order), also held a meeting in Purulia with local police officers on Wednesday to assess the Maoist activities in the district. It is learnt that Singh also instructed the district police on the use of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

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