Prez Rule forces Maoists shift base to W. Bengal

In what is giving the government considerable concern in the ongoing battle against the Maoists, it is learnt that following the recent imposition of President’s Rule in Jharkhand the ultra-left rebels have started shifting their operational base from that tribal-dominated state to parts of West Bengal.

The intensified heat from the security forces following President’s Rule is understood to have given sleepless nights to some senior Maoist leaders, sources said, following which the decision was taken to shift their operations base to areas around Lalgarh in southern Bengal.

Intelligence sources claim that inputs received from the field indicate that the Maoists have relocated their training camps from Ghatshila, Chatara, Palamau and Latehar in Jharkhand to areas around Lalgarh, Baita and Jhargram in West Midnapore district of West Bengal.

Moreover, they are also shifting their operational camps located in certain parts of Hazaribagh to villages around Lalgarh, particularly Salboni and Belpahari.

“Available inputs also reveal that top Maoist leader Koteswara Rao, alias Kishenji, is hiding in the dense forests of Lalgarh,” sources said. “He is in touch with other Maoist leaders of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Orissa.”