CRPF-Maoist clash: No arrests yet, ‘combing’ on

CRPF-Maoist clash: No arrests yet, ‘combing’ on
Express News Service

Kolkata, December 17: After hailing the Bagdubi encounter as a major boost to the morale of men in uniform, the Bankura Police is yet to make any arrests despite intense combing operations in border areas of West Midnapur, Bankura and Purulia.

Two Maoists and a CRPF jawan, Binod Kumar Roy, were killed in an encounter in Bagdubi Talab area under Barikul Police Station in Bankura on Friday night.

The slain Maoists are yet to be identified.

Meanwhile, the two injured CRPF jawans, Constables Dhyan Singh and Kuhal Roy, both 23, have been admitted to SSKM Hospital. According to CRPF sources, their condition is stable.

“Intense combing operations are on and we are hopeful of arresting the Maoist squad members,” said Rajesh Singh, Bankura police superintendent. “Combing operations are also on in the West Bengal-Jharkhand border areas along with Jharkhand police. (But) we are yet to identify the two slain Maoists.”

On Sunday, the police also stated that it is highly probable that the two women squad members who fought with the CRPF 171 battalion are Jagori Baski and Sulekha Mahato, the two much sought-after woman guerrillas from the outlawed outfit.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened in the Maoist-affected areas of West Midnapur, Bankura and Purulia in fear of retaliation. The CPI(M) district leadership has warned its leaders and cadres to take precautionary measures to thwart any retaliation attempt.

“We are also trying to locate the particular squad involved in the incident. Initially we thought that the slain Maoist was Ranjit Pal, who is a local man and one of the leaders of the action squad,” a police official said. “But his relatives later confirmed that the body was not his. “We are also looking at the involvement of an action squad led by Sasadhar Mahato.”

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