Bengal plans joint operation with Jharkhand to flush out Maoists

West Bengal Police was planning a joint operation with its Jharkhand counterpart to flush out Maoist guerrillas who have taken shelter in the border areas of the two states, a police official said on Monday.

West Midnapore Superintendent of Police Sukhendu Hira, on a visit to the remote rural pocket Shilda, about 175 km west of Kolkata, said the insurgents have been visiting the area for some time.

"As per inputs with us, they are going round the area. May be they are not carrying arms. But they are doing a recce."

Hira said police had confirmed reports that the ultra-left radicals were present in the hilly areas on the Jharkhand side of the border with West Bengal.

"We are in discussions with Jharkhand Police to conduct a joint operation to flush out the Maoists," said Hira.

He said police reinforcements have also been sought for the coming assembly polls.

"Area domination is a must. We know they may try to create trouble during the polls."

Hira had gone to Shilda on the sixth anniversary of the Maoist attack on an Eastern Frontiers Rifles camp that had left 25 people including 24 policemen dead.