Six Maoists, including People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities secretary Sidhu Soren and his girlfriend Bela, were gunned down in a fierce encounter in West Midnapore. One constable of the elite “Cobra” anti-Naxal force was also killed. Officials suspect at least one more Maoist was severely injured, but he fled.
A joint team of the CRPF and the special anti-Naxal force, acting on specific intelligence, launched the operation in the Metala-Koima jungles in Goaltore police station area. After a five-hour encounter, the forces recovered six bodies. Five of the dead Maoists were identified as Sidhu Soren, Bela Karmakar, Arjun, Rakhal and Sanatan. Sidhu was convenor of the “Sidhu Kano Gano Militia”, the PCPA’s armed wing.
The forces started mobilising from the West Midn-apore police lines at 9.30 pm Sunday. After going some distance in vehicles, the 100-strong force went on foot, taking a treacherous route to retain surprise. By 2.30 am Monday, they cordoned off a tent deep inside Metala forest, and fanned 300-400 meters all around. They then inched closer towards the Naxal camp till they were spotted, after which a fierce gunbattle began.