Operation Lalgarh not total success: WB govt

Kolkata, Aug 6: The West Bengal government on Thursday, Aug 6 said that the anti-Maoists joint operation by central forces and police at Lalgarh in west Midnapore district was a failure as no major arrest could be made nor killings stopped.

West Bengal home secretary Ardhendu Sen said, "Even though it brought success initially, the second phase of operation proved unsuccessful."

He also said that although there were 4000 men of central force in Lalgarh currently, killings and abductions were continuing.

"Obviously the forces cannot be everywhere and the Maoists are taking that opportunity. In most cases Maoists are targeting CPI(M) party members," Sen added.

When asked if the operations were a failure in strategy, Sen said, "Strategy is always flexible and subject to continuous updating. When we find it did not work, we have to change the strategy."

OneIndia News