Top leaders of the Trinamool Congress, including two Union ministers, on Tuesday visited Lalgarh and called for an end to the operations by joint state and central forces against the Maoists.

Heavily escorted by policemen, the team visited interiors of Lalgarh and met the villagers. The leaders, who alleged police atrocities, stated that a report will be sent to the Union Home Ministry through Trinamool chief and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee.

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.

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