First Maoist ambush under Mamata Banerjee's rule

In a major set back to the normalisation process, the Maoists and forces were  locked in a gunfight in West Midnapore forest area on Wednesday.

While this happens to be the first incident since the new government came to power, Maoists engaging forces all of a sudden may signal the end of truce.

Reports reaching here from Salboni, a Maoist-affected area in West Midnapore witnessed sudden mobilisation of both Maoists and Central para-military forces and exchange of fire.

Local sources said that while till noon exchange of fire continued and reportedly one Maoist and personnel of central force died during the firing as it continued in the drizzle.

However, top bosses in Writers’ remained tongue-tied. When this reporter spoke to inspector general law and order, West Bengal Police, SK Purokaystha, while confirming the incident, he said: “So far as we know that one personnel from the force and one Maoist were injured.”

But it’s no ordinary incident, the observers here see this incident as a major set back for the normalisation process with new Government having already taken peace initiative despite reservations from Union home ministry and set up State Level Review Committee on political prisoners and agreed to release 52 of them.