�We appeal to the Maoists to lay down arms and cooperate with the Government. The Government is ready to solve the problems of the people there. It does not want any bloodshed. It does not want that people are harmed. The aim of the operation is to restore peace and normalcy in the area,� said Chief Secretary Asok Mohan Chakrabarti after attending a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee at the Writers� Buildings.

Chakrabarti underlined that talks were possible only if the Maoists laid down arms. �One cannot talk if you point a gun at me,� he said.

At Lalgarh, PCAPA leader Chhatradhar Mahato said they were ready for talks only if the Government stopped operations at Lalgarh.

Twenty-four hours after the state Government claimed they had liberated Lalgarh police station, its main gate remained locked throughout the day, opening only when vehicles of state or Central police personnel entered.

When this correspondent knocked on the gate, a sub-inspector said from inside: �It has been months since someone came and lodged a complaint. It is a security situation, we cannot allow everyone in. We cannot allow you to come in.�

�We are just following orders. We could not sleep at night out of fear these days and have to be always alert. No one is allowed in, not even for a complaint,� said Gourishankar Kanjilal, officer in charge of Lalgarh police station.

Apart from Kanjilal, there are four sub-inspectors, seven assistant sub-inspectors and 17 constables in the police station. But now there job is to escort Central and state forces engaged in the operation.

�It has been over a year since we gave up routine policing. The forces are here, but there is no change, except the fact that now we can sleep at night,� said a sub-inspector. Another sub-inspector said �little has changed now, though we claim to have liberated our police station�.

On the fourth day of the operation, no further movement of the joint forces was reported from any of their base camps. Seven CRPF jawans fell sick due to the heat wave. They were treated in Lalgarh and later shifted to Army hospital in Kolai Kunda. The injured were airlifted from Lalgarh by Army helicopter and sent to Kolaikunda Air base.

�There was no major movement today. We are consolidating our position and tactical advantage. However, three persons, suspected to be Maoists, were arrested from Goaltore area today,� said DIG, Midnapore range, Praveen Kumar. �We are trying our best to gain people�s confidence. But it will take time. Now our primary job is to take action against the Maoists.�

In Belpahari area, local tribals engaged clashed with CRPF personnel, who on Saturday had urinated in local ponds used for drinking water. When one jawan was injured, the CRPF resorted to baton charging. Minor resistance was also reported from Chakadoba area where locals protested against the presence of Central forces.