Claiming that popular support for the Maoists is on the wane in left wing extremism-affected districts of West Bengal, the state's top police officer favoured a "people's revolt" to end the menace. The only way to stop the Maoists from killing the innocent in Jhargram, Jamboni, Binpur and Nayagram was for them to revolt, Director General of Police Bhupinder Singh told reporters in Kolkata.
"They are soft targets. It is not possible to protect everyone in every village. This can be stopped only when the people revolt. After all, it is they who are getting killed. We are, of course, ready to help them." He also pointed out that "previously, the Maoists used to hold trials in people's court before killing a person. But now, they are not holding such courts. This means they are losing popular support."
To a question, Singh, however, ruled out possibility of arming villagers in Maoist areas as had been done in some Maoist-infested states. Maoist activities have almost come to an end in Bandowan in Purulia district after people rose up in revolt against the extremists, the DGP said after attending a State Advisory Committee meeting on the Left wing extremist-affected areas.
In another new trend, Singh said some senior members of People's Committee against Police Atrocities had been recently killed by junior members of the organisation, most of them in their teens. "In the last six months, 12 to 14 senior PCPA members have been killed in Salboni and Goaltore, the original core areas of the PCPA. Most of the killers are in their teens, some as young as 13 years of age," he said. Easy access to money and arms by these youngsters have pushed them into complete lawlessness, he added.
To a query, the DGP said no rehabilitation package for the Maoists was being considered. Besides Singh, the State Advisory Committee meeting was attended by Inspector General of Police, Central Reserve Police Force, Additional DG Intelligence Bureau, Joint Director of State Intelligence Bureau, IGP (Law and Order) and the police superintendents of the four Maoist-dominated districts. Singh said the agenda of the meeting included sharing of information, reviewing the situation, analysing trends and changing strategy accordingly, and coordination of efforts among agencies engaged against the Maoists.
