Bhubaneswar:
Kishenji - one of India's most-wanted fugitives - carries out some of the country's most vicious attacks, almost with impunity.
After 24 policemen were massacred in West Midnapore on Tuesday, many of them burnt alive in their tents, Kishenji told NDTV: "This was our revenge for Operation Green Hunt and Mr Chidambaram should withdraw his forces." (
Read: Naxals massacre 24 cops |
Chidambaram livid)
Kishenji, born Koteshwar Rao, calls up TV channels at will. A few months ago, he even released a policeman kidnapped by his cadres on camera.
Yet, security agencies insist they can't find him. Intelligence reports suggest he operates on the Bengal-Jharkhand border. But nobody is willing to confirm his location. "You in the media, yourself, always keep on saying that he is operating out of Bengal. How can i accept or confirm that he is anywhere in Jharkhand?" says J B Tubid, Jharkhand's Home Secretary.
Kishenji has taken reporters on tours of his camps deep inside West Bengal's jungles. They've been allowed to film these trips. (
Read & Watch: Kishenji speaks to NDTV)
But the media-savvy Naxal is equally astute at disappearing without a trace.
He uses a mobile phone, not a satellite phone. GPRS systems can give the exact location of a sat phone user but mobile phones only indicate the closest mobile phone tower. He changes his mobile number often.
But sources point out that even if Kishenji's coordinates are known, a direct assault is difficult because a human shield always surrounds him.
Villagers and Naxal sympathisers often act as a buffer zone, helping to alert him long before forces can creep up on him.
And then there's a basic ID issue. Security agencies don't have a recent image of Kishenji - so recognizing him is not easy
Kishenji has proven time and time again that he slips easily between different states. This is why, the government says, it's critical for all states affected by Naxals - like Orissa, Jharkhand, West Bengal - to coordinate their offensives against Maoists.
Easier said than done. Last week, at a meeting in Kolkata chaired by Home minister P Chidambaram, two of four chief ministers scheduled to attend didn't show up. A joint and very public enemy apparently does not automatically merit cooperation. (
Read: Two of 4 CMs skip crucial meet on Naxal threat)