The swap deal with Maoists will go down in the history as a huge blunder. In Kashmir the swap deal negotiated with militants for the release of the kin of a senior politician was followed by a series of abductions.

Now when a precedent has been set for swap of prisoners with police officers more & more such cases will take place. It will be difficult for the government not to give in. I wish they had a strategy in place before capitulating.

Just like in Kandhar media coverage of wailing relatives of hijacked passengers made new Delhi shiver and surrender. So is the case of west Bengal this time. That Mahto was not swapped is a little consolation.

It is another matter whether the women arrested were really hard core naxalites. But to mount such operation, Kissenji must have had valid reasons. Expect more fire works without Diwali in due course.