Midnapore, West Bengal:
Women led a group of armed Naxals who robbed a bank, killed two policemen, and kidnapped at least one other officer in West Bengal on Tuesday.
Upto a hundred armed Naxals stormed the State Bank of India in Sankrail on Tuesday morning and grabbed 9 lakhs in cash. A police station nearby meant that officers rushed to the bank to help out. Two policemen were killed in the shootout that followed.
The Maoists, who far outnumbered the police, then turned their attention to the police station. Eyewitnesses say the Naxals stole several arms and then kidnapped at least one cop. The Maoists had 22 motorcycles with them.
Police reinforcements have left for Sankrail, but they will progress slowly since the route is believed to be littered with landmines.
Maoist politburo member Kishanji who is camping in the area, has warned that policemen taken hostage will be killed if reinforcements are sent by the police to Sankrail.
Asked if he was demanding the withdrawal of central forces from Lalgarh, Kishnaji said, "This action is too small for such a big demand. It will come."