Security forces on July 1 reclaimed Dharampur, a Maoist bastion in West Bengal, which was out of bounds for the police for nearly eight months1. The security forces also reclaimed Kantapahari, 7 km from Lalgarh and one of the strongholds of the Maoists2.

Reports noted that countering the Maoists in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand have resulted in more deaths of CRPF personnel in the first six months of 2009. 39 CRPF personnel lost their lives in these states, compared to only two in J&K and Northeast states between January-June of the current year. The CRPF however had a better success rate in J&K and Northeast, in terms of the number of insurgents killed. About 64 insurgents were killed in J&K and Northeast as compared to only 43 in the Maoists-affected states3.

• 1. “Security forces reclaim Dharampur,” Hindu, June 2, 2009, at http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/02/stories/2009070257940100.htm
• 2. “Security forces reclaim Kantapahari from Maoists,” Hindu, June 30, 2009, at http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/30/stories/2009063056101000.htm
• 3. ‘CRPF bled more in naxal infested areas than J&K and NE,” Daily Excelsior, July 1, 2009, at http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/09july01/newsupdate.htm#4