Maoists are trying to assert their presence in Junglemahal once again urging youths to form ‘resistance groups’ and dubbing the Mamata Banerjee government’s rule ‘worse’ than that of the Left.

The presence of the ultraleft rebels came before the police when the latter apprehended four suspected Maoists from inside a forest near Kanjimakli football ground of Makli gram panchayat area under Goaltore police station limits in West Midnapore on Tuesday.

The police seized some Maoists documents and literatures from them and they are being interrogated, said Alok Rajoria, Superintendent of Police of West Midnapore.

Mr Rajoria said, the arrested persons have been identified as Sabyasachi Goswami (50) of Ghola in North 24 Parganas, Sanjib Majumdar alias Asim of Ghola, Arkadwip Goswami alias Bijay (23) of Parnasree, Kolkata and Tipu Sultan alias Swapan (23) of Santiniketan in Birbhum.

A case has been registered under Sections 149/121/121A/124A/120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Mr Rajoria said.

A few months back, state Director General of Police Surajit Kar Purkayastha had held a meeting with the top police brass of the three districts ~ Bankura, Purulia and Jhargram. The meeting was held at the office of Inspector General of Police (IG), Western Range, Mr Rajiv Mishra, and was attended by police superintendents of the three districts, popularly known as Junglemahal.

“The state intelligence wing had received some inputs regarding Maoists trying to regroup in Junglemahal. The meeting was to have an idea of the real situation from the police top brass working in these districts and the strategy to deal with the issue,” a senior police official who attended the meeting said on condition of anonymity.

The ultra-Left Maoists had been silent since the death of their leader, Kishanji, in an alleged encounter with security forces in November 2011.

In a recent statement issued by Akash, the CPI (Maoist) secretary in Bengal, the rebels criticised the state government’s policies and condemned the ruling party’s activities in Junglemahal, which is spread over West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura.

“Maoists had become non-existent in Junglemahal after Kishanji’s death. But the statement shows they are trying to claw back and are keeping a watch on the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls,” an intelligence branch officer said.

“The rebels have given a call for the formation of resistance groups in villages. It means they are trying to regroup, which is alarming,” he added.

“In comparison to past three years, since the last six months there has been a surge in their movements… Although it’s not too big but this time during Martyrs’ Day observed by Maoists there has been a partial response in the areas,” a senior state Intelligence Bureau official said.

According to officials, the squads of Maoist leaders Bikash in Lalgarh area (West Midnapore), Ranjit in Ayodha hills (Purulia), Madan Mahato in Jambani, Akash, and Jayanto are trying to regroup and recruit new people. Small Maoist groups were also reported in Kashi Jungle, Burishole, Salboni and other parts trying to regroup and regain public support.

The officials also stated that there are reports these leaders visit villages either individually or in small groups and are trying to rejuvenate sleeping cells and sympathisers of the red ultras.