These camps are run out of schools, government health centres and even houses of some locals.

Following the report, five senior doctors working in two government hospitals in Kolkata have come under the scanner.

“We are keeping track of these health camps. We have arrested five to seven quacks who are accused of running some of these health camps and taking part in other Naxal activities. Several other city doctors also visit these health camps,” said DGP Bhupinder Singh.

According to the report, these camps are being run in areas including Paluiboni village in Shalboni, Birgi village in Bhulabheda region, Shimulpal, Kuldanga village in Makli Panchayat, Madhupur village, Kendishol village in Bhulabheda region, Hetashol village in Chandra region and in some other villages.

The health camps in Kantapahari, Metala in Pirakata region and at Sirshi in Dherua region were closed a few days ago after the joint forces reached there.

A senior police officer said Maoists are also setting up eight more health camps in the areas that include Sijua, Andharia, Banpukuria, Ballamdanga, Nunia Kundri and Chandipur.

“These medical camps run by the Maoists never cater to the villagers but are meant only for providing treatment to the injured and sick Naxal cadres. They get medicines and other supplies from several civil rights organisations and NGOs,” added the officer.

West Midnapore SP Manoj Verma said, “We are aware of the locations of these camps but are moving strategically. We have collected information about the doctors who are visiting these camps twice or thrice a month.”

National awardee social worker shot at
The Maoists shot at a social worker in Manikpara in West Midnapore district on Tuesday morning. Debashish Banerjee, who runs an NGO Nibedita Gramin Karma Mandir that provides shelter to 275 orphan girls, received six bullet injuries. According to an eyewitness, five Maoists riding on two motorbikes shot at Debashish while he was at his shop. His cousin, Babloo Banerjee, also received gun shots as he tried to save Debashish. Both of them were first taken to Midnapore General Hospital, from where Debashish was shifted to Kolkata’s SSKM Hospital. His condition is critical, said police. Winner of national awards from the President twice — in 1986 and 2002 — Debashish is a member of district child welfare society. Meanwhile, a Maoist source told The Indian Express that Banerjee was punished for his torture on tribal girls.

Meanwhile
Belpahari resident gunned down: A group of 12 Maoists gunned down Bharat Singh (55), a resident of Bhimarjun village in Belpahari, on Tuesday morning. Pravin Tripathi, SP (Jhargram) said: “Singh had Maoist links. He was also murdered by the Maoists.”

CPM leader’s house ransacked: In Odgonda village in Silda, Maoists ransacked the house of Bipad Bhanjan Duley, a CPM zonal committee member, on Tuesday afternoon. Duley and his family managed to flee.