2009 saw Maoists' second coming in West Bengal

The resurgence of Maoists marked 2009 in West Bengal with ultras expanding their writ in vast tracts of three districts, targeting political workers at will and abducting policemen while an operation to flush them out could not make much of a dent in their bastion.

The Maoists particularly increased their influence among tribal communities in forest areas of West Midnapore. In Lalgarh in the district, tribals backed by ultras virtually rendered the administration defunct for several months alleging police atrocities and lack of development.

The Maoist frontal organisation — People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) — also laid a daring 10-hour siege to New Delhi-bound Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express near Jhargram on October 27 demanding the release of their arrested leader Chhatradhar Mahato.

The extremists continued to strike at will at 'Jangal Mahal' in southwestern parts of the state, killing a large number of political workers, mostly ruling CPI-M cadres and abducting several policemen, including officer-in-charge (OC) of Sankrail police station in West Midnapore in October.

OC Atindranath Dutta was released after 50 hours in captivity, as the government freed 13 women held for suspected Maoist links. While releasing him, the ultras led by Maoist commander Koteshwar Rao alias 'Kishenji' staged an audacious 'prisoner of war drama' covered extensively by television channels.