CoBRA to counter Maoists in J’khand

14 February 2012

12 groups sent to neighbouring state
biswabrata goswami
MIDNAPORE, 14 FEB: As Maoist extremism-hit states like Jharkhand and Odisha have stressed the need for a coordinated action against the rebels, the state government has given a green signal to send the elite CoBRA (Combat Battalion for Resolute Action) force, especially trained for Jungle warfare, from Junglemahal.
The decision to assist the neighbouring states was taken recently based on the fact that Maoist activities in Junglemahal are not so strong now as it was in the past three years. Out of the 18 teams operating in the forests of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia district, 12 teams have already been sent to neighbouring Jharkhand, where Maoist insurgency is frequent and violent, a senior Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) official told The Statesman on condition of anonymity.
As the Maoists are now "on the defensive" in West Bengal following the death of their Politburo leader Kishenji in an encounter with the security forces in November last, they have now "consolidated themselves" in Jharkhand and Odisha.
“Actually, there are other forces, including paramilitary forces and state police, to take care of the law and order situation. The CoBRA force is only needed when there is a specific operation. As the Jharkhand government has urged to send special force for conducting combing operation inside deep forests there, a section of the elite force has been sent recently," said a senior police officer.
A police officer, posted in Junglemahal to lead anti-Maoist operation, said: "Sharing of information and other logistic helps between the four States (West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Odisha) and coordinated action among the states along the border areas of the Maoist strongholds is necessary."
Of the three Maoist-hit districts in West Bengal, Purulia shared a 380-km border with Jharkhand, while West Midnapore had a 96-km border with Jharkhand and a 107-km border with Odisha. Majority of these areas are thickly forested with difficult terrain, he said, making it easy for the extremists to escape. According to reports of various Intelligence agencies, at least 20 districts in Jharkhand are affected by Maoist insurgency. Intelligence reports indicate that the Maoists in Jharkhand have provided cadres with training in manufacturing as well as handling of rocket launchers, mortars and grenades. At least 19 Maoists were provided such training under the guidance of seven experts, led by Prakash alias Gaganna from Andhra Pradesh. "These rebels are hiding in the deep forests and para-military forces are not enough to challenge them. As the CoBRA jawans are specially trained for anti-Maoist operation, they have been pulled out from West Bengal," said a CRPF officer, posted in Bengal-Jharkhand border.