Trinamool brass visits Lalgarh,tight security covers odd fireworks

The visit was the bone of contention between the Trinamool and the CPM-led state government,who initially refused to allow the team’s visit citing security issues,but later backed off after directions from Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.

Both District Magistrate of West Midnapore Narayan Swarup Nigam and State Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen had also warned the team against visiting Lalgarh. Incidentally,a landmine exploded in Katapahari area after the Trinamool leaders left Lalgrah and security forces engaged in gun battle with Maoists squads.

“The operations must stop now. There is no need of a joint operation in Lalgarh. The need of the hour is development. The state government should help out the poor distressed people. We will submit a report to Mamata Banerjee. Later,a report will also be sent to the Union home ministry,” said Union Minister of State for Rural Development Sisir Adhikary.

Adhikary along with Minister of State for Shipping Mukul Roy and Leader of the Opposition Partho Chatterjee visited Lalgarh. Their 20-car convoy,along with police escorts entered Lalgrah around noon.

The convoy first reached Gohomidanga,where villagers — under the banner of People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) — demanded re-opening of local high schools,which for the last one month have been taken over by joint security forces,who are conducting the operations.

The Trinamool team spoke to the villagers and then distributed relief materials,including food and clothes,which they had carried in their vehicles.

“The police lathicharghed these villagers,as they were demanding re-opening of schools. Is this what the police operation is aiming at? Why are schools taken over by security forces for over a month? These people need food,drinking water and employment,” said Roy.

The convoy then went to Lalgarh town and adjoining villages,where the leaders once again talked to the tribals and listened to their complaints.

“The villagers told us that policemen are ransacking their houses and arresting them indiscriminately. We will come here regularly and see that development takes place in these areas,” added Adhikary.

Court reserves verdict
The ACJM court at Khatra in Bankura district on Tuesday reserved its verdict on withdrawal of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) under which two suspected Maoists were arrested on June 28.

This after the counsel of the state government,S A Rehman,moved a plea in this regard. The police had arrested Gopinath and Kanchan Murmu under the UAPA from Kargilmore in Sarenga police station when they were allegedly found planting landmines. Rehman told the court that after interrogating the duo,the police did not find sufficient evidence against them and therefore decided to withdraw the charges against them.