The Hindu : Front Page : Consider people’s safety: Mahato

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 22, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Consider people’s safety: Mahato

Raktima Bose

LALGARH (West Bengal): As the joint operation launched by the Central paramilitary forces and the State Armed Police against Maoists and the Maoist-backed Police Santrash Birodhi Janasadharoner Committee (PSBJC) entered its fourth day on Sunday, PSBJC convenor Chhatradhar Mahato tried to distance himself from the Maoists, saying common people were falling victim to the conflict.

Addressing journalists at Hariharpur, near here, Mr. Mahato said: “I am not bothered about the clash between the two forces. I want to appeal to both the State government and the Maoists to consider the safety of the common people.”

A group of intellectuals from Kolkata met Mr. Mahato on the day to study the situation and seek his assurance to stop violence in the region so that they could appeal to the State government to stop the operation.

Meanwhile, violence continued to rage in the area. A CRPF jawan was injured when a group of PSBJC supporters clashed with Central forces at Belpahari, 60 km from here.

There was no major force movement in the area during the day.

CRPF and State police personnel cleared all road blockades on the way to Lalgarh and deployed armed personnel at several points to check Maoists from reclaiming the area.

Villagers are fleeing their homes in the region by the hundred fearing reprisals in the wake of the operation by the security forces.

Related stories:

Security forces move into Lalgarh

We will give serious thought to banning Maoists: Buddhadeb

Security forces exchange fire with Maoists

Letters to the Editor on Lalgarh crisis

Centre backs appeal for talks with Maoists

“Charge against Trinamool proved”

No link with Maoists: Trinamool

Help resolve Lalgarh crisis-Editorial

Trouble in Lalgarh - in pics

Problem at Lalgarh spreading: official