Joint operations in Maoist affected areas to continue: WB home secretary

The West Bengal government today asserted that there would be no let-up in the routine joint operations by security forces in the Maoist-affected areas of the state.

"I have no knowledge what Union home minister P Chidambaram has written to our chief minister for a meeting along with his Bihar and Jharkhand counterparts in Delhi. But I would like to assert that routine joint operations in Maoist affected districts will go on as usual," state home secretary Ardhendu Sen told reporters at the Writers' Building here.

About the difference of opinions on the Maoist attack between him and DGP Bhupinder Singh, he said "I had a talk with the DGP and he is of the view that his statements have been quoted out of context and this has created unnecessary confusion."

Chidambaram has written to the three chief ministers, inviting them for a meeting in Delhi, to be assured that they are "on the same page" with the Centre before launch of inter-state naxal operations.

About the proposed inquiry into the Silda attack, he said a probe committee would be formed after chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee returns on Monday. Sen said an inquiry alone would reveal if there was any intelligence failure in the Maoist offensive that left 24 EFR jawans dead.

"Intelligence failure, if any, will only be known after inquiry is completed," Sen said.