Lack of alertness caused Maoists attack: Bengal CM

Kolkata, Feb 18: Under public scanner for the Silda camp attack by the Maoists, West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Thursday, Feb 18, admitted that the jawans lost their lives due to lack of alertness on the part of the forces.

"There was a security lapse, I must say. It is clear that lack of alertness led to the killing of 24 Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) jawans by Maoists in West Midnapore district," the chief minister said while announcing an inquiry into the killing of the 24 jawans by Maoists on Feb 15.

He said that the inquiry would shed light on how the Maoists could carry out the mass massacre on the fateful day.

"I decided to order an inquiry. We want to know the whole truth including possible intelligence failure.The commission will find out as to what was their (Naxals) modus operandi. How they reached the area and what was our response to them."," Bhattacharjee, said.

Calling it a heinous act, Buddhadeb said that the operation was carried out with the help of Maoist squads from the neighboring states.

"It was carried out by Maoist squads not only from our state but also from neighbouring states," he said, adding that the identification of the squad was a subject of inquiry.

The chief minister, who holds the home (police) portfolio, informed that before escaping from the crime scene Maoists looted firearms and ammunition at the camp.

However, he said that he would wait for the investigation to get over before making any further statement.

“I shall and I must not comment on the incident till the inquiry is over. We have appointed a commission to probe every aspect of the Naxal attack that occurred recently."

OneIndia News