Security Forces in Maoist Hub Finally; Consolidate Position

The paramilitary forces have reached the Maoist hub Katapahari thus consolidating their position in the naxal-infested areas of West Midnapore district of West Bengal.

As many as 1600 personnel from the BSF, CRPF and special anti-naxal force CoBRA congregated at the naxal hub, marching all the way from Lalgarh and Ramgarh, the towns captured by paramilitary forces which were under control of the Maoists for eight months.

A helicopter flew over the area to spot the rebels and to help the security forces execute their operation meticulously.

Siddhinath Gupta, DIG CID (Special Operations Group), said that the forces have reached Katapahari now, where a police camp existed in 2005 before it was withdrawn.

“A camp will be established here after all these years,” he said.

DIG (Midanpore range) Praveen Kumar said the operations had not ended. “Entering Katapahari was part of it.”

A senior police officer, however, said that one third of the operations were complete

Midnapore district police superintendent Manoj Verma said “There was no police in Katapahari for the past several months. People have come forward to cooperate. We hope this cooperation will continue. We will establish the rule of law to solve the problem that has been plaguing this area for several months.”

Katapahari, besides the surrounding villages of Boropelia, Chottopelia and Dalilpur Chowk, were the places where the tribals backed by Maoists had launched their agitation in protest against police atrocities in November last year.

Security forces recently reclaimed Lalgarh police station from Maoist control.