Since the anti-Maoist operation began in Lalgarh, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has been insisting on joint raids by the two states to flush out Maoists from Bengal’s south-western districts of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia.

Md. Selim, former MP the party’s Central Committee member who looks after CPM affairs in Jharkhand as well, said: “We apprehend that like Mamata Banerjee in Bengal, Soren will create problems for the anti-Maoist operation. Bengal will suffer as the Maoist infested districts share borders with Jharkhand.”

In August, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, had said: “Operation against Maoists cannot be successful unless a similar operation is conducted in Jharkhand in collaboration with the Bengal Police.” The Centre had asked the Bengal government to wait till the end of monsoon and then the Jharkhand elections. “Now with Sibu Soren taking charge the whole scenario has changed,” said Selim.

“We feel it will be very difficult to convince the new government about such police operations,” said a member of the CPM central committee. “We are not openly speaking against the new government, but we would request the Centre to take up the issue with the Jharkhand government.”