Lalgarh: Complicating the situation are the political implications, there are accusations and allegations that the Maoists have the tacit support of opposition parties like the Congress and the Trinamool Congress.
Bows and arrows versus automatic rifles, it may seem like an unequal war but the reality on the ground is far more complicated. Politically Lalgarh is an explosive situation.
The prime suspects behind the violent protests are the Maoists, extreme left-wing rebels. But the situation is not so simple.
Other groups, even local opposition parties like the Trinamool and Congress are believed to be supporting the protests. On Wednesday a leader of the main protest group admitted to NDTV as much.
The group was formed as a result of this Maoist assassination attempt on Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya in the Lalgarh area.
After a harsh police crackdown local residents organised large-scale protests.
However, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya wishing to avoid another Nandigram-like situation told the police to back off.
The armed Maoist rebels as well as the Congress and Trinamool were soon supporting the popular protests either actively or tacitly because there was no police.
And that's now the cause of friction between Delhi and Kolkata.
"State police must commit their own forces. Police must be given a clear mandate," said P Chidambaram, Union Home Minister.
"PM has said that the threat from Maoists is the biggest challenge to internal security and we hope the state and Centre should work together," said Sitaram Yechury, Politburo Member, CPM.
The Congress spokesman even criticized Left government in the state for mishandling of the situation.
"On the Lalgarh issue the Left government is in charge in Bengal if they cannot control the situation, they should step down," said Manish Tiwari, Leader, Congress.
Nevertheless to reinstate law and order, the Centre sent almost 150 commandos trained in anti-guerilla warfare.
Experts say the Maoist strategy is to attack using a huge force armed with primitive weapons accompanied by a small group with guns and bombs.
The battle is yet to begin but given the high political costs will it ever happen?