On the fifth day of Operation Lalgarh, the para-military and the state security forces did not make any forward movement from the new base camp set up here, probably as part of a tactical move. The security forces, according to sources, have been asked to gain confidence of the local people after allegations of atrocities during the operation.

Meanwhile, Lalgarh and adjoining areas were completely hit by the two-day bandh called by the Maoists. As the forces did not push ahead, the retaliatory violence which was expected also did not occur.

The police officers and the commandant of the Central Reserve Force supervising the operation, however, claimed that the operation was on and they are acting according to their strategies.

Murulidhar, the additional superintendent of police at Jhargram, said the joint operation was still under way. “We are conducting the operation steadily, but slowly. It might be a part of our strategy,” he said.

An officer of the district intelligence branch said the security forces would not march forward from their base camps over the next two days. They would rather patrol the areas adjacent to their camps, he said.

He added that the senior officers supervising the operation from different base camps are constantly in touch and several meetings were being held between the officers of the state and central forces to chalk out the strategy of the operation.

Around 11.30 am on Monday, Praveen Kumar, DIG (Midnapore range) was said to have held a meeting with the CRPF officers at Lalgarh Ramkrishna Vidyapith. However, none of the officers from the state police or the CRPF was willing to disclose details of further plans.

... contd.