Maoist activities unabated in state

KOLKATA, March 7: At a time when a majority of the Maoist-infested states have managed to combat the challenge posed by the outfit successfully, the Naxalite activities are unabated in West Bengal.
A recent report prepared by the Union home ministry states the Maoists are steadily spreading their activities in new areas of the state whereas a majority of the Maoist-infested states have slowly pushed the outfit into a corner over the past four years.
In West Bengal, a total of 12 police stations were identified as Maoist-infested in 2006. The number was four in 2003. After 2003, the Maoists have gained ground in the state. In 2004, Maoists made their presence felt in six police station areas and in 2005, the number of affected police stations reached to seven. As the number reached to 12 in 2006, it clearly appeared the state failed to stop the spread of Maoist activities here. In comparison to West Bengal, other Maoist-infested states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand dealt with the problem more efficiently. These states not only stopped the spread of Naxalite violence but also “recaptured” some areas where Maoists had earlier made their presence felt. In Andhra Pradesh, the total number of Maoist-infested police stations were 183 in 2003 but it came down to 93 in 2006. Similarly in Bihar, the number of Maoist-infested police stations came down to 69 in 2006. In 2003, the state had a total of 100 affected police stations. Jharkhand also dealt with the problem efficiently. In 2003, the state had 96 affected police stations in terms of Maoist violence but in 2006 the number came down to 85.
However, in some states like Orissa and Chhatisgarh, Maoists have spread their activities in new areas during the period. Overall in the country, Maoist activities have been curved significantly. In 2003 the total number of Naxalite affected police stations was 491 but in 2006 the number came down to 395.
Though the report was prepared with the the figure available till 2006, the Maoists continued to spread their activities in the state. Mr Raj Kanojia, IG (Law and Order), said till date 13-14 police stations in three districts, Bankura, Purulia and Midnapore West, were affected. He, however, expressed hope that the Naxalite activities would be curbed in the state following the arrest of Somen, the eastern region head of the outfit.