Security forces fear Maoist attack

Security forces fear that Maoists may strike on Independence Day to avenge the death of slain comrades.

The forces expect Maoists to use a major national event to launch an attack since it comes close on the heels of their ‘martyrs day’ on July 22, when they remember comrades to died fighting the police and paramilitary. “We’ve recently found out that Maoists observe ‘martyrs’ day’ on July 22. We are expecting some action since this is the first major national event coming so close after their martyrs’ day. We have alerted the paramilitary and state police units to remain cautious,” said a senior home ministry official. Security forces chanced upon martyrs’ day details when they recently confiscated documents in Chattisgarh which talks about the day of remembrance.

Paramilitary headquarters have asked their personnel to be particularly careful of women moving around their camps because they could be Maoists cadres. “We suspect that Maoists might try to ambush our personnel so we have asked them to be extra cautious and restrict their movements if possible. They should be careful about traps laid to lure securitymen,” said the officer.

 This year has been one of the deadliest for security men. Records of the past seven months show that 76 paramilitary personnel have died in Maoist attacks. The casualties were lower in the past two years. Twenty-eight men died in 2008, while 26 personnel lost their lives in 2007.

‘Women bombers have entered Guwahati’
A group of women militants have sneaked into Assam’s main city ahead of Independence Day, officials said. “We have information that these women are experts at handling explosives and have come with a mission to strike ahead of August 15,” a police spokesperson said. They belong to the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). Assam has been put on maximum alert.