Security forces continue march to Lalgarh

Lalgarh: Security forces on Friday continued their advance towards West Bengal's Lalgarh region to flush out Maoists from the trouble zone as rebels dug more roads and burnt a bridge to stall them.

Heavily armed government forces resumed their operation yesterday morning after stopping overnight at Koima, nearly 10 kilometres from here.

"The operation is on full steam. It is on track. The forces are moving. There has not been much resistance today," said West Midnapore District Magistrate N.S. Nigam.

One person was arrested near Bhimpur for allegedly supplying information to the rebels in Lalgarh, where Maoist guerrillas have been active in organising a tribal movement alongside a group called the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA).

Security forces moved slowly as they came close to the Jhitka jungle, which is considered a Maoist stronghold.

Another police team is approaching the zone from the census town of Sarenga in the city of Bankura while a third team is slated to approach from the municipality of Jhargram in West Midnapore district.

A senior police officer said police reinforcements are being brought in from Kolkata and other districts to ensure the forces remain fresh when they reach the core area in West Midnapore where the rebels and their allied tribes could put up a stiff resistance.

PCAPA members burnt a bridge on Kangsabati river and dug up more approach roads to thwart the advancing forces but police officials said security personnel were confident of reaching Lalgarh police station by yesterday afternoon.

In Kolkata, senior officers held an emergency meeting at the state secretariat to take stock of the operation and plan future strategies. The government was also dropping leaflets from a helicopter, warning people that the Maoists may use innocent villagers, especially women and children, as human shields.

On Thursday, advancing security forces lobbed teargas shells and fired rubber bullets as they faced a massive "human wall" and firing by Maoists and tribals.

Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen said similar operations would also be launched in Bankura and Purulia districts.