A close confidant of elusive Maoist leader Kishenji has died of injuries which he sustained during the attack on the EFR's camp at Sildah, the West Bengal police said on Friday.
Director General of Police Bhupinder Singh told reporters in Kolkata on Friday that Susen Mahato, who managed to escape after suffering serious injuries during the encounter this Monday, succumbed to his injuries on February 17.
"Three to five Maoist attackers, including Susen, were killed in the encounter as per the information available with us," he said. Susen's body was later brought to Purnapani village for cremation on the same day, he said, adding, "It was learnt that Kishenji, along with some other Maoist leaders, visited Susen's house during the cremation."
"Accordingly, a joint force rushed to the village and a fierce encounter ensued with the Maoist ultras, who later managed to melt into the jungles while blasting landmines to prevent the movement of the joint forces," Singh added.
Referring to the gun-battle at the ill-fated camp, the DGP said that the two EFR personnel, a sentry and a jawan, retaliated after the Maoists fired and some of them, including Susen, got seriously injured. Quoting witnesses, Singh said the ultras carried their injured companions to dense forests.
To a question, the DGP reiterated that he did not receive any intelligence input prior to the February 15 attack on the EFR camp.
"Every single note does not necessarily reach the DGP's level. (If any) It could have directly gone to the place itself," he said.
"Our main target is now self-defence and then mounting attack on the miscreants," the DGP said, adding that the Shilda camp will be shifted to a scarcely populated area to minimise casualties in case of an encounter.
Steps had also been taken to implement suggestions by the two-member central team that visited Shilda after the deadly attack. Acting on suggestions, the camp infrastructure will also be improved, setting them at an interval of every five km instead of 15 km, 20 km or more at present, Singh said.
A decision has also been taken to include the jawans, up to 35 years of age, in the combat force of the EFR, and those above 35 years age would be put in the non-combat zone, he said. The DGP (Armed Police) have also been asked to prepare a list accordingly to strengthen the force, he added.
