Lalgarh (WB), July 02: In pursuit of tribal leader
Chhatradhar Mahato, who has been elusive since the crackdown
on Maoists began on July 19, security forces today launched
massive raids on Pirakata, Bodopelia and Chhotopelia villages,
located five to seven km from here.
Though the village of the convenor of People's
Committee Against Police Atrocities was Pathardanga, which the
security forces have already searched, the raids were also
being conducted in Bodopelia and Chhotopelia.
These two villages, along with Dalilpur Chawk, were
the hub of resistance by the Maoist-backed tribals since
November last year, a senior police official said.
Meanwhile, in Lalgarh, a landmine exploded in a field
near the BDO's office, without causing any damage.
DIG (Midnapore Range) Praveen Kumar, speaking about
the explosion said, "no single incident is a victory or a
loss."
Stating that the operations were continuing, he said,
all police officers were their areas of responsibility.
"All those against whom there are specific cases will
be arrested, while it will be ensured that ordinary people are
not harassed", he said.
Altogether, 16 companies of security forces and police
were deployed in West Midnapore district, with 900 men and
women at Lalgarh, while the remaining were encamped at places
like Ramgarh, Kantapahari Dharampur, wrested from Maoists in
the past few days.
"We have gained control. We have done the basic field
work," Kumar said.
Meanwhile, the reconstituted Task force, under which
six secretaries of the West Bengal government were visiting
Midnapore district met today and drew plans for amenities
for the people.
Public Health Engineering Secretary Saurav Das said
that schools, closed since the agitation began would be
reopened with mid-day meals being provided to students.
"Sufficient food grains are available at the BDO's
office and gram panchayats," he said. The police camps at the school buildings would be shifted to four other areas.
Bus services, both private and government, would be
introduced between Midnapore and Lalharh via Pirakata, another
would link Lalgarh and Goaltore. Buses would also be available
between Pingboni and Sarenga, in neighbouring Bankura district
as also between Midnapore, Dharampore and Lalgarh, Das said.
Police escort would be provided for running the bus
services, he added.
A number of families have been identified in Ramgarh
who would be provided livestock, Das said.
The beds at the Lalgarh hospital would be increased to
35, while land was being looked for to construct accommodation
for the medical staff, he said.
Three doctors would be appointed in addition to the
one at the hospital, which would have stocks of medicines and
live-saving drugs.
Schemes were sanctioned for constructing three
drinking water pipelines to Pirakata, Kantapahari and Ramgarh
as there was only a single one catering to 10,000 people in 10
mouzas (plot of land).
The administration was also looking into the
irregularities in ration cards, he said.
In Lalgarh, ration dealers made the people deposit
their ration cards with them as a result of which people could
not collect the free six kg of rice and potatoes being
provided.
New ration cards would be given to villagers after
verification by panchayat members or the BDO.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, July 02, 2009, 18:47