Maoist, Huji bhai-bhai in Bengal

KOLKATA: With Maoists entrenched in certain pockets and the Harkat-ul-Jihadi-Islami (HuJI) spreading its influence in border districts of West Bengal, the tie-up between the two extremist organisations was just a matter of time. Now, intelligence and police in the state have unearthed definitive evidence of collaboration of resources between the two ideologically divergent extremist organisations.

Districts like Nadia, North 24-Parganas and South 24-Parganas, all of which share border with Bangladesh, have been found to be the hotbed of the two extremist outfits. This has raised fears of increased terror activities across the state.

Recently, the district police of Nadia conducted raids in Bansberia, Hijuli, Sitanathpur, Govindapur and Purkugachi in search of Maoists. During the raids, several documents were seized indicating close links between HuJI militants and Maoists.

As per Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials, the seized documents hint at similar tie-ups in other districts like South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas. Explaining the rationale behind collaboration between Maoist doctrine and religious fundamentalism, senior Intelligence Bureau officials said: “The Maoists, desperate to extend their network, are trying to use the local network of HuJI in  to extend their reach.”