Kolkata, April 26: A number of Maoists arrested from Naxal-affected Jungle Mahal areas of West Bengal were suffering from malaria and water-borne diseases, state police chief Bhupinder Singh said today.
“Many of them have been suffering from malaria and water-borne diseases because they are spending the summer in the jungles for the first time,” Singh told reporters here.
The DGP said around this time last year, Maoist cadres were living either in their homes or in villages near the jungles, thereby having access to food and safe drinking water.
A joint anti-Naxal operation was on in several areas in the Maoist belt since June last year.
In reply to a question, the DGP said normal work was affected in Jungle Mahal areas of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts owing to frequent bandhs called by Maoists.
“In the last 15 days, Maoists have called bandhs frequently.
–Agencies