Bengal admits it had intel warnings on Naxal attack

The West Bengal government today admitted it had some intelligence warnings that Naxalites were "assembling" in the area around Shilda police camp which was attacked in the biggest offensive by Naxals in the state.

The admission came a day after an outraged Centre slammed the Left Front government expressing dismay at the "unprofessional, incompetent, untrained and inadequate" response of the state police force to the Naxalite attack on Monday evening.

24 jawans of the Eastern Frontier Rifles(EFR) were killed in the deadliest-ever strike by Naxals on their camp at Shilda in West Midnapore district.

"It is not a clear case of intelligence failure. There was intelligence report that the Naxalites were assembling in the area, though there was no specific information that they may attack the EFR camp," West Bengal Home secretary Ardhendu Sen told reporters after a high level meeting here today. Asked why no step was taken when the government had in its possession the intelligence report, Sen said the report had come to its hand at 2 PM only, a bare three hours before the attack and it had taken time for the information to percolate down to the lower level. Refuting the charges by the Centre that the EFR did not have proper training to combat the Naxalites, he said, "It is not correct. They are a highly motivated, disciplined and well-trained force."

Heart-rending scenes were witnessed when bodies of all the 24 jawans were handed over to their relatives this morning at Salua camp of the para-military forces near Jhargram for last rites.

...orders inquiry

The West Bengal government on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the Naxalite attack on the EFR camp and said action would be taken against senior officers if they were found wanting. "An official inquiry has been ordered into the incident," West Bengal Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen told reporters. Asked if action would be taken against senior officers if they were found wanting, Sen said, "Let us complete the probe. A specific charge against any officer has to be established. If anyone is found guilty, action will be taken."

Bengal Governor M K Narayanan on Wednesday expressed his "deep sense of anguish" at the loss of lives of 24 jawans and a civilian in the Maoist attack on the EFR camp at Shilda in West Midnapore district. Referring to February 15 attack, Narayanan conveyed his heart-felt condolences to the bereaved families and also reiterated the government's commitment to deal effectively with the problem.

Meanwhile, a two-member central team today visited the Eastern Frontier Rifles camp at Shilda in West Bengal's West Midnapore district. State Home secretary Ardhendu Sen told reporters here that the two included a deputy secretary and a Brigadier. They were from the security advisory department under the Union Home Ministry, he said.