Taming Maoists: Backup Forces Troop to Troubled Lalgarh

Amid Maoists rebels’ call for a two-day shutdown in five states to protest against the security operations, the West Bengal government has rushed further security forces as back up to its uneasy Lalgarh region in West Midnapore district.

According to officials, police and paramilitary forces had been moved to West Midnapore disctrict, some 200 km from Kolkata, to carry out a joint operation to swill down Maoists rebels who have organized a tribal movement alongside a group called the People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA).

“We have moved forces in the morning,” Inspector General of Police Raj Kanojia said.

In response to the query as to when police would launch an operation against rebels, he said, “We have our people there. They will take the decision at the appropriate time.”

Another senior police officer, who did not wish to be named, said: “We are ready to launch the operation. We are waiting for orders.”

So far five companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and two companies of the Cobra Force, trained particularly to combat Maoists, have reached Midnapore district, said reports.

These companies have been supplied with a large quantity of tear gas shells and protective shields for security personnel taking on the Maoist rebels in the troubled area.

However, the PCAPA and Maoists have dug up roads and felled several trees on approach ways to Lalgarh to obstruct the entry of the security forces.

However, the PCAPA and Maoists have dug up roads and felled several trees on approach ways to Lalgarh to obstruct the entry of the security forces.

The state government had announced on Wednesday that it was prepared to initiate an operation to get Lalgarh area freed from the control of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) even as the guerrillas shot dead three workers of the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist(CPI-M).

In response, a top rebel leader said that the central and state governments had started psychological warfare against the people in Lalgarh with its show of force.

“The prime minister (Manmohan Singh) and home minister (P. Chidambaram) have started a psychological warfare by amassing huge forces. If they start the operations, we will resist with the help of the people who are with us,” CPI-Maoist politburo member Kishanjee told a television channel over phone.