A day after top Maoist leader Kishanji issued an ultimatum to Trinamool Congess chief Mamata Banerjee to break her “silence” or face a boycott from the people of Lalgarh, she responded by defying the state Government’s warnings against entering the area and sending two of her Union ministers to set up a camp in Salboni.

In what could hurt security operations, which are at a critical stage in Lalgarh, and embarrass the Central Government that has cleared them, the two Ministers of State — Mukul Roy (Shipping) and Sisir Adhikari (Rural Development) — questioned the manner in which the operation to clear the area of Maoists was being conducted. Reaching Lalgarh, they accused forces of inflicting atrocities on poor villagers and “reinstating” CPI(M) goons.

In a statement in Delhi, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram urged political leaders to avoid going to conflict zones. “The situation in Lalgarh is sensitive and continues to be tense,” he said, adding that security forces should be allowed to carry out their work without distraction. “I appeal to all citizens, especially political leaders, NGOs and others not to go to the conflict areas.”

However, apart from sending her ministers, Mamata herself raised the pitch accusing CPI(M) cadres of masquerading as Maoists, killing Trinamool supporters and alleging that what was being seen in Lalgarh was a shadow war. Announcing a protest rally in Kolkata on Monday, she said: “The security forces are carrying out atrocities on villagers. The CPI(M) cadres are using the security operations as a shield to enter Lalgarh.”

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