Slain top Maoist commander Kishenji had come to Jangalmahal from Orissa to observe the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Week in December, little knowing that death was waiting for him. This has come to light from the documents recovered by the joint security forces from the spot of the encounter at Burishole forest in West Midnapore.
Examining the seized items, the officials of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) of the ministry of home affairs (MHA) and intelligence branch of the West Bengal police arrived at the conclusion that Kishenji, a PLGA leader, was all set to convene sessions with the rebels in West Midnapore to strengthen the rank and file of the organisation as part of the week’s programmes.
A senior MHA official revealed, “The People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army’s week-long celebration kickstarts from December 2 and continues till the 8th of the month each year. The Maoist organisation had become quite weak due to the joint forces’ massive operation in Jangalmahal after chief minister Mamata Banerjee decided to deal with the Maoist insurgency in the state with iron hands. Being a key member of the central military commission of the CPI (Maoist) as well as its politburo member, Kishenji perhaps felt that the seven-day time would be a good period to chalk out offensive strategies against the joint forces operation.”
Besides, another of his important task was to prepare the assassination blueprints of top political leaders, including the chief minister, a state IB official disclosed. With these goals in mind, Kishenji had started camping in Jangalmahal for the past one month, he added.
But what proved to be the turning point was the vital lead about Kishenji’s movements which was collected by the security establishment from the six surrendered Maoists, including dreaded action squad leader Jagori Baskey.