WB Home Secretary Says Joint Operations in Lalgarh Not Total Success

The West Bengal Government has said that the joint operations by Central forces and police against Maoists at restive Lalgarh in West Midnapore district were not a total success, for neither a major arrest could be made nor killings stopped.

“Even though it brought success initially, the second phase of operation proved unsuccessful,” West Bengal Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen told reporters in Kolkata.

He informed that there were 40 companies (comprising of 4000 personnel) of Central force in Lalgarh presently and that killings and abductions are yet continuing.

“Obviously the forces cannot be everywhere and the Maoists are taking that opportunity. In most cases Maoists are targeting CPI(M) party members,” Sen said.

Confronted with the query if the operations were a failure in strategy, Sen evaded a direct reply, saying, “Strategy is always flexible and subject to continuous updating. When we find it did not work, we have to change the strategy.”