This Article is From Jun 18, 2009

Bengal: Battle to reclaim Lalgarh begins

Bengal: Battle to reclaim Lalgarh begins
Lalgarh:

The battle to reclaim Lalgarh has begun. Security forces are marching towards Lalgarh. The area is part of the rural Midnapore district is completely in Maoist control. On Thursday morning, there was news of more killings by the naxals. The bodies of 4 CPM activists were found in Lalgarh.

The Maoists are determined to put up a tough fight. They have felled trees around Lalgarh to use as roadblocks against the advancing police and CRPF forces. It's day 4 since NDTV broke the news about the Maoist anarchy in Bengal -- the violent takeover of what was a CPM bastion for 30 years.

Sixteen CRPF companies have been moved into Lalgarh.  Nearly 150 commandoes of COBRA, the newly formed anti-Naxal force, are also closing in on the trouble zone. They are planning to storm the area. They haven't been given the go-ahead yet.

The Centre has told the state government that the offensive must be led by its own police force and that central forces will only assist them. 

PTI adds: "Operation at Lalgrah has started this morning. The operation will be mainly done by the state police but we will be adequately assisted by the Central forces," West Bengal Director General of Police Sujit Kumar Sarkar said.

Asked about the number of forces deployed, Sarkar said the details cannot be divulged 'right now'.

"But there are adequate (state) forces to restore peace and normalcy in the area. The CRPF will give adequate back up and if needed they will actively participate," he said over phone from Kolkata.

Agitating tribals of West Midnapore and adjoining areas have been protesting police "atrocities" on them in the wake of the landmine blast at Salboni which was believed to target the Chief Minister.

The tribals, numbering 2000 under the banner of People's Committee Against Police Atrocities, dug up roads amid reports that they were laying landmines to stop the security forces. "We will try to shed minimum blood," Sarkar said adding I cannot tell you the exact timeframe (of the operation)."

Five hundred CRPF personnel, including 200 personnel of the elite COBRA trained in anti-Maoist operations, have been deployed to deal with the situation.

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