Dantewada: As the Maoists strike again near Dantewada killing 31 people this time, security forces in the Maoist affected states are worried. The challenge is not only to take on the Maoists but also intelligence gathering.
Deep inside Maoist country in Dantewada, everyone is on the edge including the 50-odd men at a police station.
Barbed wire, and check posts have increasingly becoming part of the landscape here. Well armed, the Maoists used landmines in the latest attack, as they have done in several attacks in this area.
Security agencies believe they acquired landmines from the LTTE in the 1980s.
From attacks on vehicles of security forces, civilians have been brazenly targeted, and there doesn't seem to be much security forces can even do.
Inadequately equipped, forces here have been forced to take cover in school buildings.
Vikram Verma, commanding the Bravo company of the CRPF's 2nd battalion is worried. Vikram's challenge is not only to take on Maoists and keep his men safe, but also intelligence gathering.
"Maoists use a very old but effective system of gathering intelligence, human couriers. They don't even trust cell phones," said Vikram.
Mr Nag, the acting principal of the school is equally worried. Schools are soft targets for Maoists. The CRPF camp just in front is a constant reminder of the lurking insecurity.
This is one reason for falling standards at this school, where there are 250 students and only four teachers. Besides it hasn't won as many trophies as it once used to.
A few yards away, is the primary healthcare centre. The only doctor here was killed by Maoists two months ago.