Maoists to Hold Two-day Protest against Security Operation

Maoists have said that they will hold a two-day protest against a security operation in West Bengal in which eight rebels were killed yesterday, said media reports.

Security forces gunned down eight Maoists, including three women, in West Midnapore district on Wednesday.

Maoists’ spokesman Comrade Khokan said that the protest would be held during the weekend, reports said.

He said that Maoists could not have dialogue with the officials if ‘there is systemic and continuous police action’, said reports.

Police said that forces were on high alert anticipating violence during Maoists protest during the weekend, reports said.

“We would expect them to set off a few explosions in parts of West Bengal and stage a few attacks on the security forces, so we have to be on our guard,” West Bengal police chief Bhupinder Singh was quoted as saying.

He said that earlier 10 villagers, two teachers and a writer were taken into custody from West Midnapore district due to their suspected links with the rebels, said reports.

Some of these arrested people had given the police information about the movement of the rebels, leading to the ‘successful operation’ on Wednesday.

(Based on internet reports)