WB Maoist attack: Chidambaram admits lapses

Terming the Maoists attack on a police camp in West Bengal as outrageous, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday accepted there were indications of 'failure' in some aspects, which only a detailed review would reveal.

'While there are indications of failure in some aspects, only a thorough review will reveal how the police camp with adequate strength was overrun, when there was daylight, by the CPI (Maoist),' he said in a statement in New Delhi.

The Home minister, who spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, said the attack is 'another outrageous attempt by the banned organisation to overawe the established authority in the State'.

'I condemn the attack. There has been a massive loss of lives. Besides, more than 40 weapons are reported to have been looted. The leader of the CPI (Maoist) has claimed responsibility for the attack and has threatened to repeat such attacks in the future.'

'Every attack of this kind exposes the true nature and character of the CPI(Maoist). Their goal is to seize power. Their weapon is violence. No organisation or group in a democratic republic has the right to take to violence to overpower the established legal authority,' he said, criticising a number of "well meaning organisation" that find "legitimacy" in the armed struggle by CPI (Maoists). 

Chidambaram said "unfortunately" this simple truth has escaped a number of well-meaning organisations that find "legitimacy" in the armed liberation struggle carried on by the CPI (Maoist).

'I know that the overwhelming majority in this country will condemn the mindless violence unleashed by the CPI (Maoist) and will support the careful, controlled and calibrated efforts being taken by the central and state governments to put an end to the violence.'

'However, I would like to hear the voices of condemnation of those who have, erroneously, extended intellectual and material support to the CPI (Maoist),' he said.

The Home minister said, 'It is only if the whole country rejects the preposterous theses of the CPI (Maoist) and condemns the so-called 'armed liberation struggle' that we can put an end to the menace of naxalism and bring development and progress to the people in the conflict zones.'

Twenty-four Eastern Frontier Rifle jawans were killed on Monday when the ultras overran their camp at Silda in West Midnapore district after setting it on fire. Three Maoists and a civilian were also killed in the attack.

There were 51 EFR jawans and officers in the camp when the attack took place, police said, adding that many of them are still missing.

Chidambaram offered condolences to the families of the slain jawans.

He pointed out that during the 3-day bandh called by the CPI (Maoist) from February 7, their main target was railway property.

There were a total of 11 incidents -- three in Bihar, six in Jharkhand and two in Orissa, he said. The Home minister said tracks were blown up, railway stations attacked, bombs placed on railway property and railway officials assaulted.