WB govt admits it had some intel warnings on Naxal attack

24 jawans of the Eastern Frontier Rifles(EFR) were killed in the deadliest-ever strike by Naxals on their camp at Shilda in West Midnapore district.

The state government also ordered an inquiry into the incident and said “action” would be taken against senior officers if they were found wanting.

“It is not a clear case of intelligence failure. There was intelligence report that the Maoists were assembling in the area,though there was no specific information that they may attack the EFR camp,” West Bengal Home secretary Ardhendu Sen told reporters after a high level meeting which reviewed the situation in the wake of the attack.

Asked why no step was taken when the government had in its possession the intelligence report,Sen said the report had come to its hand at 2 PM only,a bare three hours before the attack and it had taken time for the information to percolate down to the lower level.

Refuting the charges by the Centre that the EFR did not have proper training to combat the Maoists,he said,”It is not correct. They are a highly motivated,disciplined and well-trained force.”

Heart-rending scenes were witnessed when bodies of all the 24 EFR jawans were handed over to their relatives this morning at Salua camp of the para-military forces near Jhargram for last rites.