The security forces may claim to have liberated and sanitised many areas in Lalgarh, but Maoists are seeking new targets — heavily guarded camps of security forces.

The Maoists attacked a camp in Pirakata, a sanitised zone, around 3 am on Sunday. Though Pirakata area was liberated on June 19, Maoists squads made their presence felt by firing five rounds on the Pirakata security base. They fired indiscriminately from the neighbouring jungles. The BSF company stationed at the camp retaliated with gunfire and mortar shells.

Security at the camp was heightened following the attack. The forces also checked the surrounding area in the morning. C Sudhakar, SDPO Rampurhat and in-charge of Pirakata base camp, said, “There was firing from the jungle. They wanted to lure the police into the jungle but we did not take the bait.”

Meanwhile, two persons, Gopinath Murmu and Kanchan Murmu, were arrested from Sarenga when they were they were trying to plant land mines. Four mines were detected and defused on Sunday. Both are local residents.

In a related incident, movement of armed forces was stalled on Sunday as they were busy consolidating their position in Ramgarh, where they reached on Saturday. Tomorrow, the state and Central forces are expected to move towards Katapahari, the existing base of Maoists.

Kuldeip Singh, IG Western Range visited Ramgarh camp and inspected the area. He said that Ramgarh police outpost will be renovated.  

In another development, nearly 200 CPM supporters took out a motorbike rally from Shalboni to Chandrakona Road on Sunday. “The conspiracy was hatched by Trinamool Congress and Maoists has been foiled. They have created lawlessness in the entire area. We are for development and peace. These attempts have to be stopped,” said Sushanta Majhi, CPM zonal committee secretary Chandrakona Road.

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