Even as the Centre plans an all-out offensive against the Left-wing ultras in six affected states, the West Bengal government is already taking a few tips from the veterans of Operation Steeplechase launched in 1971 to crush the Naxalite movement.

The state police brass has engaged a few officers who were in the frontline of the state’s battle against the Naxal violence that had engulfed the whole of West Bengal in the early ‘70s, rocking the contemporary social and political life and killing thousands of people, most of whom were young and bright students from front-ranking colleges and universities of the state.

State Director General of Police Bhupinder Singh said the advice from old anti-Naxal hands was being sought to boost the ongoing offensive in Lalgarh and also on the multi-state operation to be taken up towards the year-end.

“I have got in touch with a few officers who were involved in the anti-Naxal operations that time. I am taking advice from them. This includes Naxals’ modus operandi, their methodology, how they studied the movement etc. I don’t want to reveal their names. Well, I know things have changed a lot in these 40 years. But one thing that does not change is the human mind,” Singh said.

“The DG calls me on several occasions and we talk on several issues. But it is some of the junior officers who call me and take tips from me,” said Rajat Majumder, who had joined as SDPO, Katwa, in 1973, when the Naxalite movement was at its peak. Majumder retired as DG, armed police, last year.

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