West Bengal urges Centre to declare more districts as Maoist-hit

The West Bengal government has urged the Centre to include three more districts - Nadia, Murshidabad and Birbhum - as Maoist-affected in the state.

"Since the state police has reports about spread of Maoist activities in the districts of Nadia,  Murshidabad and Birbhum, which are adjacent to the three existing districts, we are keeping a vigil on them," West Brengal additional director general of police ADG (Law and Order) Surajit Kar Purakayastha said.

Presently, West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia have been declared as Maoist-affected.

The ADG, however, said the Centre was yet to respond to the state government's request in this regard.

Some of the new police stations to come under surveillance, include Chapra and Kotowali in Nadia district and Naoda in Murshidabad district.

Earlier today, chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee held a high-level meeting with home secretary GD Gautama and several top police officers following the arrest of six top Maoist leaders on December 4.

"Out of 10 or 12 Maoist state committee leaders, six have been arrested. The exact number of state committee members is, however, not known. Some of them are yet to be arrested. We are keeping a vigil on them," Purakayastha said.