Mixed reactions in Bengal to IB report on Maoists

KOLKATA: The latest report by the Intelligence Branch (IB) of the state police has brought both relief and concern for the West Bengal government regarding the Maoist future plan of action in the state.

The element of relief comes from the decision of the top ranking CPI(Maoist) leaders that there would not be any major “hit-and-run” action by the Maoist guerrillas in their strongholds like Bankura, Puruliya and West Midnapore during the next six months.

However, at the same time, the CPI(Maoist) leaders have decided that during the so-called peace period, there will be a major drive to mobilise new followers from other parts of the state especially Nandigram in East Midnapore and Singur in Hooghly.

The leaders have also instructed that the farming community’s displeasure against the recent land acquisition drive for industry would be the exploiting factor in mobilising the new followers and for that Nandigram and Singur would be the two best ideal spots to launch this mobilisation drive.

Highly-placed IB sources said  the decision was taken at a secret meeting of the Ninth Unity Congress of CPI(Marxist) last month somewhere in East Midnapore district.