Lalgarh: With the operations entering the sixth day on Thursday to reclaim areas taken over by Maoist-backed tribals at Lalgarh in West Midnapore district, security forces are planning to march to the main area from another side - Goaltore - the only zone where the rebels are still in control.
In an earlier attempt, the state police force had to retreat due to landmine blasts, gunfire and arrows being shot at them.
Now, two CRPF companies are expected to join the security forces in Goaltore, 18 kms away from Lalgarh.
Developments in Lalgarh are clearly dominating the state government's agenda. The top brass of the state administration arrived there by helicopter.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborty admitted that the state had failed to do much for this troubled area in the last six months and that the government was now trying to set things right. But there was no question of talks with the Maoists until they laid down their arms.
"We admit that last five to six months we have not been able to deliver for the villagers. Now our prime objective is to get the administration functioning. But there is no question of talks until they surrender their arms," Chakraborty said.
In Kolkata, the spokesman of the CPI (Maoist) Gour Narayan Chakraborty, who was arrested on Tuesday night under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, was produced in court and remanded to police custody till July 6.