Kolkata: On June 18, security forces began marching to Lalgarh in West Bengal as part of the first phase of their operations and established their presence in the area within days.
But according to the state Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen, the second phase of the operation, aimed at capturing or flushing out Maoists from the area, has failed.
"After the brilliant success of the first phase, the outcome of the second phase has not been up to expectations," Sen said.
The admission came after a high-level meeting held in the face of twin pressures - one from the Centre to release 25-odd companies of paramilitary forces and the other by the fact that since June 18, suspected Maoists have killed at least 18 people in and around Lalgarh. Of these, 14 victims were either workers or supporters of the CPM.
"We feel concerned about this and we shall have to take up this issue in a different mode with the administration. How long this will continue?" said CPM secretary Biman Bose.
The state government hopes to have a new strategy for Lalgarh by August 13, a strategy that it claims will yield results within 15 to 20 days. But the big question is whether the Centre will continue the deployment of the paramilitary for that long?