The mercury at Ground Zero of the Maoist hub in West Bengal at Lalgarh is hovering around 40 c plus. With a scorching sun overhead, the maximum humidity is measured at 96% by the weather office in this region. Dantewada has translated in these parts into a grueling 20 to 30 km walk under these hostile conditions every day for the 1,680-plus Central Reserve Police Force personnel posted in this Maoist-affected area.
Renewed reminders have reached almost all units stationed in the Maoist-affected areas urging CRPF personnel to strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOP) while going on area domination, patrol, hot pursuit and other operations. The 1,680-plus force guards a territory of about 4,000 square km covering at least 20 police stations?15 in West Midnapore and the rest in Bankura and Purulia districts adjoining Jharkhand.
?The CRPF companies have intensified their raids and patrolling in the affected areas in the state,? said Nageswar Rao, IG, Eastern sector, CRPF. ?Maximum strength of the CRPF has been deployed in the LWE districts, especially in West Midnapore. We have standard guidelines which we follow under any circumstances. So, the SOP remains the same until a major change in operational strategy is made,? he added.
The raids have been intensified for another reason, though. Post Dantewada a red alert has been sounded in Bengal and a specific intelligence input has reached the security forces about a big group of a couple of hundred heavily armed Maoist cadres having sneaked into Purulia district over the past few days. Generally, Purulia and Belpahari in West Midnapore are the two entry points.
Armed engagement is a daily feature with Maoists still digging in deep inside forest tracts. One CRPF unit head who could be contacted at West Midnapore said over phone??For us the renewed pledge is, discard vehicles and make it on foot. To tell you the truth every time we reflect on the Dantewada massacre, sweat flows down the spine. We are fast developing a mind block against travelling in vehicles even in relatively safer areas.?