All police stations, camps put on alert in Bengal

All police stations and camps in West Bengal, especially in three Maoist-affected districts, were today put on high alert after the Naxal attack on security personnel in Chhattisgarh.

"All police stations and camps have been asked to be on maximum alert and personnel directed to intensify patrolling and vigilance, particularly in Maoist-hit areas," IGP (Law and order) S Purkayastha told PTI here.

The three Maoist-affected districts are West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia.

Instructions have also been issued to intelligence agencies, the IGP said.

Chief Secretary Asok Mohan Chakraborty condemned the massacre and said "it is barbaric, dastardly and shocking. Except for persons with a sick mentality, everyone should condemn such incidents."

In addition to existing measures, additional security steps have been taken in Maoist-hit areas as instructed by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram during his weekend visit here, Chakraborty said.

The security scenario was also reviewed at a high-level meeting here during the day.