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.