Raids underway near Lalgarh to nab Chhatradhar Mahato

In pursuit of tribal rebel leader Chhatradhar Mahato, who has been eluding the police since the crackdown on Maoists began on July 19, security forces today launched massive raids on Pirakata, Bodopelia, and Chhotopelia villages, located between 5km and 7km from here.

The native village of the convener of the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities is Pathardanga, which the security forces have already searched. Bodopelia and Chhotopelia, along with Dalilpur Chawk, were the hub of resistance by Maoist-backed tribes since November last year, a senior police officer told the Press Trust of India.

Meanwhile, in Lalgarh, a landmine exploded in a field near the block development officer's office without causing any damage. Deputy inspector-general of police (Midnapore range) Praveen Kumar said, "No single incident is a victory or a loss."

Stating that combing operations were continuing, he said all police officers were in 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.

In all, 16 companies of security forces and police have been deployed in West Midnapore district, with 900 men and women at Lalgarh and the rest encamped at places like Ramgarh and Kantapahari Dharampur, wrested from the Maoists in the past few days.

"We have gained control. We have done the basic field work," Kumar said.

Meanwhile, a reconstituted task force of six secretaries of the West Bengal government visited Midnapore district today and drew plans for amenities for the people.

Public health engineering secretary Saurav Das said that schools, closed since the agitation began, will be reopened with mid-day meals for students. "Sufficient foodgrains are available at the BDO's office and gram panchayats," he said.

The police camps in school buildings will be shifted to four other areas, he said.

Bus services, both private and government, will be introduced between Midnapore and Lalgarh via Pirakata, and between Lalgarh and Goaltore. Buses will also be available between Pingboni and Sarenga, in neighbouring Bankura district, as also between Midnapore, Dharampore, and Lalgarh, Das said.

Police escorts will be provided for running the bus services, he added.

A number of families have been identified in Ramgarh to be given livestock, Das said.

The number of beds at Lalgarh Hospital will be increased to 35 and houses would be built for medical staff once a suitable plot of land is identified, he said.

Three doctors will be appointed in addition to the one currently working at the hospital, and the institution will be given sufficient stocks of medicines and lifesaving drugs.

Schemes have been sanctioned for building three drinking water pipelines to Pirakata, Kantapahari, and Ramgarh as there is only one catering to 10,000 people in 10 mouzas (a local unit of land measure).

The administration is also looking into the irregularities in ration cards, he said. In Lalgarh, ration dealers have been forcing people to deposit their ration cards with them, as a result of which the people could not collect the free 6kg of rice and potatoes being provided by the state government.

New ration cards will be given to the villagers after verification by panchayat members or the BDO, he said.