Fearing Maoist attack, five Trinamool Congress leaders of Ranibandh Block of Jangalmahal have written to Bankura superintendent of police asking for security, intelligence sources said.
Bankura District council member Chitta Mahato, who already has a private security guard, has reportedly made a written request to increase his security. However, the district police have not yet acknowledged receiving any application.
This development has somewhat confirmed the news of increase in Maoist activities in Jangalmahal. The Bandh called by the Maoists on April 8 in Jangalmahal received good response.
According to the sources, Maoist leaders Akash and Ajay are trying to expand their organisation by hiding in Jangalmahal. Protests have been taking place in Jangalmahal against some corrupt faces of the ruling party. The police have removed posters of Maoists, warning against the existing corruption in the society, from various places in Jangalmahal.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has warned the state government that the Maoists could carry out a major sabotage operation in Jangalmahal in the next 15 days. The state administration has instructed every police station in Jangalmahal area to be vigilant. High alert has also been issued across the area.
The ruling party was reluctant to acknowledge the presence of Maoists in Jangalmahal despite panic among the people. Whether it is the recovery of posters or effect of bandh, the ruling party has maintained that it was a ploy of the opposition.
The BJP now has mocked the ruling party leaders› request for appointment of security guards and claimed that the Trinamool Congress in Jangalmahal has corrupted the area.