No intelligence alert on Maoist attack: R.R. Patil

Nagpur, March 28 (IANS) Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil has denied there was any intelligence alert on Tuesday's brutal Maoist attack that left 12 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers dead and another 28 injured.

Speaking to media persons here Wednesday afternoon, a grim Patil also dismissed suggestions that there was lack of co-ordination between the Maharashtra Police and other agencies like the CRPF which are engaged in anti-Maoist operations in the forested eastern parts of the state.

"Our priority is to find out what was the motive behind the attack on the CRPF bus yesterday (Tuesday). We shall also ascertain whether the CRPF had observed the security protocol in Gadchiroli," he said.

The minister said that the police are also investigating the involvement of locals or others who may be working in tandem with the Maoists.

Patil admitted that the police had to function within the legal parameters and could not take the necessary strict action against Maoist groups active in the region.

Earlier Wednesday, Patil visited the Wockhardt Hospital here where eight of the seriously injured troopers are undergoing treatment and enquired after their well-being.

He also held discussion with top police, CPRP and other security officials on the prevalent situation and ground realities posing a challenge to the anti-Maoist operations.

After a lull of over three years, Maoists brutally struck again yesterday killing 12 CRPF troopers and injuring 28 others in a remote-triggered landmine blast in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.

The incident occurred just before noon when 40 troopers of the CRPF were travelling in a bus of the force from Phustola to Gatta village in Dhanora, around 50 km from the Gadchiroli district headquarters.