Author: Sumanta Ray Chaudhuri
Publication: DNA (Daily News & Analysis)
Date: October 29, 2007
URL: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1130480
Spy agencies have traced the source of the
additional firepower the Maoists have acquired of late to renew violence in
the eastern parts of the nation, especially Jharkhand and West Bengal, to
Bangladesh. The agencies believe the guerrillas have forged a quid pro quo
understanding with Bangladesh-based terror outfit Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami
(Huji) and set up shelter pockets across the border.
In the last two days, 19 people have been
killed in Maoist attacks at Giridih, Jharkhand, and Belpahari in the West
Midnapore district of West Bengal.
Border Security Force (BSF) battalions deputed
in different Indo-Bangla border districts of West Bengal have sounded an alert
on possible attempts by most-wanted Maoist guerrillas to cross the border
with the help of Huji agents to take shelter there.
West Bengal's Nadia and South 24 Parganas
districts are considered to be most vulnerable in this regard by the BSF.
The vast stretch of unmanned border at Nadia and the huge waterfront borders
in South 24 Parganas make illegal border crossing easy.
S Goel, BSF inspector general (south Bengal),
confirmed that border patrol had been increased in these districts. He said
special emphasis is being laid on night vigil and sophisticated gadgets have
been installed at the two borders.
So far the traffic was one way, with Bangla terrorists taking shelter in West
Bengal to avoid arrests, but now Huji is reciprocating the gesture.
As reported by DNA earlier, there has been
a certain understanding between the Maoists and Huji in West Bengal for sometime
now.
While Huji is interested in procuring the
high-intensity explosive Neogel-90 from the Maoists, the guerrillas want to
use the Bangla terror outfit's network in Nadia and South 24 Parganas to extend
its stronghold to West Midnapore, Bankura and Puruliya.
A senior IB official said, "The police
have of late increased raids in Huji pockets in Nadia, Murshidabad, South
and North 24 Parganas and Howrah districts. As such they are likely to look
for alternative shelters in West Bengal and may take the Maoists' help."