Sources in the police headquarters say some 38,000 police and paramilitary personnel are deployed against the Maoists in the tribal-majority state. The rebels number 50,000, including 15,000 female ones.

The numbers don't tell the whole story. Among the policemen are about 10,000 constables deployed in the worst-hit pockets, but all that they have are 'lathis' to counter AK-47s.

The Maoists are also increasingly flashing mortars and rocket launchers.

'If the government really wants to take the battle to the Maoist heartland, they must have a clear strategy, intelligence gathering network and proper coordination,' said an anguished police official.

'The biggest problem is that policemen in the war zone feel that they have been given 'punishment posting' and they can survive only by developing friendship with Maoists,' an official told IANS.

Many policemen also have self-loading rifles and pistols, but these are no match to the lethal AK-47s.

While the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has AK-47s, the police say the CRPF does not venture beyond a few kilometres of their camps.

In July, 29 policemen were suspended for refusing to attend the Counter Terrorism and Jungle Warfare College (CTJWC) training before being sent to battle the Maoists.

Maoists are active in all 18 districts and can strike anywhere and at any time at will.

Said B.K. Ponwar, formerly head of the army's Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School in Mizoram: 'Policemen will remain at the receiving end because they are not ready to follow the jungle warfare basics.'

(Sujeet Kumar can be contacted at sujeet.k@ians.in)