ID :
66463
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 20:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/66463
The shortlink copeid
Crackdown on Maoists begins in Lalgarh
Lalgarh (WB), Jun 18 (PTI) Security forces Thursday
moved into the restive Lalgarh region in India's eastern state
to end the three-day siege of Maoists, who have gone on a
rampage targeting CPI(M) cadres and leaders, destroying their
homes and party offices and setting up barricades to block
police entry.
"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 told PTI.
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.
A visiting PTI correspondent saw four trucks of
central and state police force personnel entering Lalgrah
through Pirakata, which links the place to Midnapore, in the
morning hours.
The other three entry/exit points to Lalgrah through
Binpur, Dohijhuri and Bherua have been blocked by felling
trees and digging up roads.
The area presented a deserted look, with most shops
and business establishments closed. Only a few people were
seen out of their homes.
The Maoists had taken over the area, a former Marxist
bastion, after driving away the police on Monday.
Eight CPI(M) personnel have been killed in the area in
the last one week and four others are missing.
High-level police officials, including DG
(Coordination) Bhupinder Singh and DIG (Special Operations
Group) Siddhinath Gupta are here to supervise the action.
The operation was launched a day after Home Minister P
Chidamabaram sent a blunt message to Chief Minister Buddhadeb
Bhattacharjee that a clear mandate should be given to the
security forces to reclaim areas dominated by Maoists in
violence-hit West Midnapore and its adjoining areas and deal
with the "deteriorating" law and order situation.
"The impression is that one side of the government is
willing to take action, the other side of the government is
worried about the consequences. Now, it is the judgement the
CM must make. They must move the (security) forces to the
affected areas and must reclaim that area which is now
dominated by the Maoists," he said. PTI
moved into the restive Lalgarh region in India's eastern state
to end the three-day siege of Maoists, who have gone on a
rampage targeting CPI(M) cadres and leaders, destroying their
homes and party offices and setting up barricades to block
police entry.
"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 told PTI.
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.
A visiting PTI correspondent saw four trucks of
central and state police force personnel entering Lalgrah
through Pirakata, which links the place to Midnapore, in the
morning hours.
The other three entry/exit points to Lalgrah through
Binpur, Dohijhuri and Bherua have been blocked by felling
trees and digging up roads.
The area presented a deserted look, with most shops
and business establishments closed. Only a few people were
seen out of their homes.
The Maoists had taken over the area, a former Marxist
bastion, after driving away the police on Monday.
Eight CPI(M) personnel have been killed in the area in
the last one week and four others are missing.
High-level police officials, including DG
(Coordination) Bhupinder Singh and DIG (Special Operations
Group) Siddhinath Gupta are here to supervise the action.
The operation was launched a day after Home Minister P
Chidamabaram sent a blunt message to Chief Minister Buddhadeb
Bhattacharjee that a clear mandate should be given to the
security forces to reclaim areas dominated by Maoists in
violence-hit West Midnapore and its adjoining areas and deal
with the "deteriorating" law and order situation.
"The impression is that one side of the government is
willing to take action, the other side of the government is
worried about the consequences. Now, it is the judgement the
CM must make. They must move the (security) forces to the
affected areas and must reclaim that area which is now
dominated by the Maoists," he said. PTI
