Burdwan, Nov. 23 :    Burdwan, Nov. 23:  A special team of the Centre's Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB) started combing operations in a number of forests in the district from Thursday midnight in search of People's War Group (PWG) and Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) activists. The force, comprising about 100 specially-trained jawans, arrived here on Thursday morning and held a series of meetings with inspector-general of police (western range) Jitram Bhagat and other senior district police officials, including those belonging to the district intelligence branch (DIB), to get an idea about the possible hideouts of the extremists. An SIB report has revealed that Maoists of Nepal, MCC and PWG activists of Jharkhand and Kamtapuri Liberation Organisation members from north Bengal recently formed a common platform and are carrying out subversive activities under the banner of Composta. They have also distributed posters and leaflets in Burdwan, Birbhum, Midnapore and Bankura. According to district police sources, the Central team formed four groups and moved into the forests at Kanksa, Salanpur, Pandabeswar and Ausgram. The force, according to DIB sources, will enter forests in Jhargram in Midnapore and Muraroi in Birbhum in a couple of days. DIB officials will assist the team and provide them all necessary information, including roadmaps. Before launching the combing operations, the force visited the forest at Kanksa along with Bhagat and other senior police officers from Burdwan and Midnapore. Both the state and Central intelligence officials have learnt that the PWG and MCC activists have taken shelter in different forests in Burdwan and Midnapore and are operating from their hideouts. They have also opened arms training camps inside the forests. According to state intelligence branch reports, the Naxalite outfits are planning to create major disturbances in the districts. They not only intend to attack police stations but also target some important persons on or before December 2, the PWG's foundation day. Realising the gravity of the situation, chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee held meetings with the superintendents of police of five Naxalite-prone districts - Burdwan, Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia and Midnapore. All the police stations in these districts have been put on high alert. Security has also been beefed up in areas bordering Jharkhand and a number of additional police checkposts have been set up. Concerned over the growing Naxalite activities, the chief minister recently brought the matter to the Centre's notice and sought its assistance in tackling the menace. Home department sources said Delhi was likely to despatch more Central forces to combat Naxalites in Bengal and adjoining Jharkhand. 'We are taking the threat from the Naxalites seriously and intend to take all possible steps to put an end to their activities. The special force is confident of nabbing the MCC-PWG activists with the help of the district police and demolish their dens,' the inspector-general of police said. Police are now convinced that yesterday's four-hour looting at Memari was the handiwork of Naxalites. Three persons have been arrested in this connection. Police said the dacoits spoke in Hindu and Telugu.