This came a day after the state home secretary said the police will enter Lalgarh ahead of the Lok Sabha polls to ensure smooth elections. “We are enjoying freedom in Lalgarh in the absence of the police. We can move around freely. The panchayats and blocks are also functioning smoothly. We will provide full security to polling officials but we don’t want the police in our areas,” Mahato told mediapersons at the Calcutta Press Club.

Explaining why the police were unwanted in Lalgarh, he said the CPM has prepared a “blueprint” to unleash fresh terror in the area with the help of the police. “Wearing police uniform, CPM cadres will capture polling booths. They had already driven several people out of Lalgarh. We will also not allow any Central force to visit Lalgarh since it works under the guidance of the state government,” he said.

“We assure officials that they will not face any trouble on polling day. We will provide them with adequate security,” he added.

The committee also stated it will urge tribals to vote for anyone contesting against the CPM. The PSBPC wants the consolidation of anti-CPM votes, Mahato added.

When asked about the relationship between PSBPC and Maoists, Mahato said: “It’s true we have sought assistance from all social and political organisations in our fight against CPM-sponsored terror. Maoists can join our outfit if they leave behind their party flag. The PSBPC is neither a Leftist outfit nor a Rightist organisation. It’s a platform for the people who are facing atrocities.”

Reacting to media reports that PSBPC was extorting money from a section of people in Lalgarh, Mahato said they had sought financial help from people to organise a movement, but had never demanded a hefty amount from anyone. He also invited mediapersons to Lalgarh to see the actual situation prevailing there and not file reports on the basis of statements made by the police, government officials and CPM leaders.

He added that a rally under the banner of Lalgarh Sanhati Mancha will begin from College Square on Monday highlighting the actual state of tribals in the CPM-ruled state. The rally will end at Esplanade. Another rally will be held at Kalabani near Jhargram on April 19 to protest against the alleged atrocities of CPM tribals.

“We are aware what the police had done in Nandigram. The CPM is trying to make another Nandigram in Lalgarh, but we will not allow this to happen. It’s possible to hold smooth elections without police presence and we will prove it,’ Mahato said.