KOLKATA, JUNE 22: At a time when West Bengal government’s industrialisation drive has suffered a major jolt, PepsiCo India is poised to make its Frito-Lay manufacturing unit in the state its largest in the country by 2011-12. PepsiCo India has acquired an extra 4 acres near its existing factory in the state to ramp up production of Frito-Lay -- the food division of the company. Talking to newsmen Mr Animesh Banerjee, vice -president (operations) at PepsiCo India Holdings Pvt Ltd (Frito-Lay division), said: "The West Bengal facility will emerge as the largest factory by calender 2011. The factory’s capacity will increase from 25,000 tonne per annum to 50,000 tonne per annum by 2011-12. However, the expansion plan will largely hinge on the demand curve in the next two years." Incidentally, apart from West Bengal, Frito-Lay has manufacturing facilities at Channo in Punjab and Ranjangaon in Pune. PepsiCo India had initially invested Rs 140 crore in its West Bengal facility, which is located at Sankrail Food Park. "In addition, the company will invest another Rs 110 crore in a phased manner to enhance the factory’s capacity," Mr Banerjee said. The unit produces two of its major brands - Frito Lay and Kurkure. Frito-Lay uses around 1.5 lakh tonnes of potatoes per annum for its products, 50% of which comes from contract farming. PepsiCo has partnered with more than 10,000 farmers working in over 12,000 acres across Punjab, UP, Karnataka, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Kashmir and Maharashtra for the supply of potatoes. The company aims to collaborate with 25,000 farmers in next five years time for procuring potatoes. Frito-Lay India on Monday launched a new brand Aliva in the baked savoury cracker category. "It is being manufactured at our Ranjangaon facility. With the launch of Aliva, the company aims to create a new sub-segment of great tasting savoury crackers in the greater than 1500 tonne biscuit category. Our aim is to make Aliva much bigger than Kurkure," said Mr Vidur Vyas, executive vice-president (marketing), Frito-Lay India. |
June 25, 2009
PepsiCo India to make Bengal unit the largest in India
2 CPI(M) supporters die, Nandigram bandh on Tuesday
Nandigram (West Bengal), June 22: Two CPI(M) supporters, severely beaten up by alleged Trinamool Congress men at Nandigram and elsewhere, died in hospital on Monday prompting the Marxists to call a 12-hour bandh in the area on Tuesday.
SP Pallab Kanti Ghosh said Keshab Das, stated to be a CPI(M) supporter, died at a Kolkata hospital late last night after being assaulted by unidentified persons the previous day.
Another CPI(M) supporter, thrashed by some men on June 13 at Moyna area, also died at a hospital today, the SP said.
The CPI(M) claimed both were beaten up by Trinamool Congress which wanted to finish off the Left Front activists from the district after the Lok Sabha elections.
The incidents followed cases of arson and recovery of arms from different parts of Khejuri last week with the Trinamool Congress wresting the erstwhile Marxist stronghold.
Maoist leader had named TMC, Mahasweta
By Kartyk Venkatraman
Posted online: Monday , Jun 22, 2009 at 1152 hrs
According to Somen's interrogation report, accessed by The Indian Express, the 58-year-old admitted to Maoist involvement in Nandigram and links with Trinamool leaders and Trinamool-backed Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee (BUPC).
The report, which was forwarded to the state Government, said:
• CPI(Maoist) leaders, including Soren, visited Nandigram in December 2006 to "assess the temperament of locals" when protests against land acquisition for a chemical hub just began.
• Based on the visit, a meeting of his party was held in Chakulia forest in Jharkhand in February 2007 to devise a strategy for Nandigram. A decision was taken to keep the Maoists away from the forefront of agitation due to lack of organisational network in Nandigram. It was also decided to procure arms. Accordingly, the party central committee sanctioned Rs 8 lakh, by which six .315 rifles and 500 bullets worth Rs 4 lakh were purchased from one Sahoo based in Jharkhand.
• The consignment was received at Haldia, shipped to Nandigram and kept at the house of CPI(Maoist) East Midnapore zonal committee secretary Narayan's residence in Sonachura, the epicentre of Nandigram movement. Besides, 30 crude guns were procured locally. Narayan also acted as a link with the BUPC, whose members Karabi, Ranjit Pal and Dipak formed the Maoist squad along with Narayan.
• Somen also visited Nandigram in July 2007 for two days and stayed at Narayan's residence.
• Narayan was in contact with Trinamool MP from Tamluk Subendhu Adhikari, the then MLA from Contai South Assembly constituency, and BUPC leaders. Maoists also forged links with Sidiqullah Chowdhury's People's Democratic Council of India (PDCI), SUCI and Bandi Mukti Committee (BMC).
• Several Bengal intellectuals, including BMC president Mahasweta Devi, went to Nandigram at the Maoists’ behest to exhort people to join the anti-acquisition movement.
• However, relations between the BUPC and Maoists soured when the former rejected a proposal to form volunteer groups to take on the CPI(M) cadres.
About the Maoists’ organisational set-up, the CID report said:
• Kishanji, also operating under the names of Pradip, Bimal, Prahalad and Sridhar, collected “levy” from contractors in Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore averaging Rs 8 lakh per month. He also received Rs 1.3-1.5 lakh from the central party headquarters every month which he distributed directly to the state unit. He wrote press statements of the party in English while Somen framed the Bengali ones.
• Training of fresh inductees was conducted in Damuria Hills of Dalma forest in Gorabandha, Mayurbhanj, Orissa. Trainees would move in small batches of two to three by train from Howrah station to Tatanagar in Jharkhand, then by public transport to Dalma Hills and finally on foot.
• As state secretary, Somen handled political matters while military activity was under the Bengal-Jharkhand-Orissa regional committee.
Centre bans CPI (Maoist)
| Hope West Bengal government will also do so: Chidambaram |
NEW DELHI, JUNE 22: The Centre on Monday banned the Communist Party of India (Maoist), terming it a terrorist organisation. It invoked Section 41 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against the extremist outfit.
The CPI (Maoist) came into existence following the merger of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), the People’s War Group (PWG) and the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC).
The ban came two days after West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee met Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram in the backdrop of violent incidents in Lalgarh and the ongoing operation by the police and the security forces to reclaim the area.
The Chief Minister had said that his government would give a “serious thought” to banning the CPI (Maoist) as advised by the Home Minister.
The ban was to avoid any ambiguity though all formations and front organisations of the PWG, the MCC and the CPI (ML) came under the purview of the ban.
In September 2004, the CPI (ML) and the MCC announced their decision to merge and named the new organisation CPI (Maoist). There was some opposition to the merger and some elements in the two organisations continued to function independently.
Mr. Chidambaram said the merged organisation would continue to be listed as a terror organisation. “When I looked into the matter a couple of days ago, I said that may be the position in the law. In order to avoid any ambiguity, let us add the CPI (Maoist) by name in that schedule of the Act.”
Many States, including Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, had declared the CPI (Maoist) an unlawful association. Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu had done so under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
“When I had a discussion with Mr. Bhattacharjee, I advised him to ban the CPI (Maoist) under Section 16 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908. That power is available with the State. I did not change my view. I still think that West Bengal should declare the CPI (Maoist) an unlawful association,” he told journalists.
Asked about the Left parties’ opposition to the ban, Mr. Chidambaram said the Left had taken a view which was not that of the West Bengal government. “I hope distinction between the party and the government is still there in this country. I expect that the Chief Minister will look into the matter.”
Will talk to Centre about Lalgarh only when asked to, says Mamata
| 21 Jun 2009, 0533 hrs IST, TNN |
KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is disappointed that the Centre did not consult her party, a UPA partner, before embarking on 'liberate Lalgarh operation'. "We'll tell Centre about the real nature of the problem in Lalgarh if asked for. We will not go and tell on our own," she said on Saturday. Mamata alleged Lalgarh was stage-managed by chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee following CPM's defeat in the Lok Sabha election. The CPM had an understanding with Maoists. "Otherwise how was it that CPM managed to win panchayat and assembly polls in areas dominated by Maoists and why People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) called for a poll boycott that helped CPM win Jhargram Lok Sabha seat against Congress", she asked. She also criticised the state government for failing to ban CPI (Maoist). She said some prominent CPM leaders, including a minister, were behind the operation in Lalgarh, she said they helped Maoists to escape from Lalgarh. The ransacking of a prominent CPM leader's house in Lalgarh was also a 'drama', she said, adding it was done not by Maoists but by a group of CPM rebels in the presence of a select group of media to give the incident publicity. "CPM had created the same Maoists to capture Keshpur, Garbeta and Khanakul." She said there was a difference between Maoists in Andhra Pradesh and those in West Bengal. "Here, they are creations of CPM." Even Maoist leader, 'Kishenji', could be a creation of CPM, she added. If there were genuine Maoists, Midnapore West, Purulia and Bankura should be declared disturbed and let the Centre take care of the operation. Denying any link of Trinamool with Maoists, she said she had no objection if Maoists were arrested. But, if police harassed and tortured common people, Trinamool would protest. Common people are being used as shields by Maoists. "Chhatradhar Mahato was a Trinamool member two years ago, but when we learnt that he had Maoist links, we expelled him from the party," she said. |
Lalgarh tense, says Chidambaram
NEW DELHI, JUNE 21: Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Sunday described the situation in Lalgarh in West Bengal as “sensitive and tense.” He urged citizens, especially political leaders, not to go to the conflict area, even as Left MPs appealed to the Prime Minister to intervene following reports that some Union Ministers were reaching there.
“The situation in Lalgarh is sensitive and continues to be tense. Besides, the CPI (Maoist) has called for a [a two-day] bandh [from] tomorrow [Monday]. Security forces must carry on their work without distraction. Hence I appeal to all citizens, especially political leaders, NGOs, and others, not to go to the conflict area,” Mr. Chidambaram said in a brief statement.
The Home Ministry cautioned the people to remain vigilant against possible violence during the bandh called by the Maoists in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal. The Maoists might target security forces, economic infrastructure and public places.
Sixteen MPs of the Left parties wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday, urging him to intervene. They pointed to media reports about some Union Cabinet Ministers proceeding to the affected areas and making public comments. They were apparently referring to reports that two Ministers, belonging to the Trinamool Congress, were in the area. They told Dr. Singh that he had drawn the country’s attention to the fact that the Maoist activities constituted “one of the gravest threats” to India’s internal security. “In this situation, we…seek your personal intervention to ensure that the joint operations are not adversely complicated by utterances and actions of some members of the Union Council of Ministers as reported by the media.”
The signatories are Sitaram Yechury, Brinda Karat, Mohd. Amin, Basudeb Acharya, Shyamal Chakraborty, P. Karunakaran, A. Vijayaraghavan, P. Madhu, T.K. Rangarajan, Bajuban Riyan, Khagen Das and Tapas Sen of the CPI (M); D. Raja of the CPI; Abani Roy of the Revolutionary Socialist Party; and Barun Mukherjee and Narhari Mahato of the All-India Forward Bloc.
(Full Text of the letter added below)
Left MP’s seek personal intervention of Prime Minister
June 21, 2009
Members of Parliament belonging to the Left Parties have sent the following letter to the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
***********************
Dear Pradhan Mantriji,
We are writing to you to convey our apprehensions in connection with the ongoing joint operations by the Central Security Forces and the Security Forces of the Government of West Bengal in Lalgarh and other areas of West Midnapore against the Maoist violence.
We have learnt through media reports that some members of the Union Council of Ministers are proceeding to visit the affected areas and are making public comments which are adversely complicating the operations against the Maoists.
You had, yourself, drawn the attention of the country by stating that the Maoist activities constitute one of the gravest threats to India's internal security. In that spirit, the Central Security Forces have been dispatched at the request of the state government for launching these joint operations.
In this situation, we, Members of Parliament belonging to the Left parties seek your personal intervention to ensure that the joint operations against the Maoists are not adversely complicated by utterances and actions of some members of the Union Council of Ministers as reported by the media.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
CPI(M): Sitaram Yechury, Brinda Karat, Mohd. Amin, Basudev Acharia, Shyamal Chakraborty, P. Karunakaran, A. Vijayaraghavan, P. Madhu, T. K. Rangarajan, Bajuban Riyan, Khagen Das, Tapan Sen
CPI: D. Raja, RSP: Abani Roy, Forward Bloc: Barun Mukherjee, Narahari Mahato
copy to: Shri P Chidambaram, Minister for Home Affairs, Government of India
Four Maoists killed, six policemen injured as forces reach Lalgarh
Lalgarh, June 20, 2009: Security forces claimed to have gunned down four Maoists and marched through a forest to establish their control over Lalgarh Saturday before the rebels hit back, injuring six policemen in a landmine blast on the third day of the West Bengal government’s offensive against the leftwing radicals.Using mineproof vehicles and landmine detectors, the forces Saturday morning traversed five kilometres through the Jhitka forest, considered a Maoist den, to set up a base camp at the Lalgarh police station in West Midnapore district after a 36-hour march that began from Pirakata Thursday afternoon.
Though the rebels failed to put up any resistance at Jhitka, they struck back with a vengeance this afternoon at Kadashole under Goaltore police station by triggering the blast on the Pingoboni-Sarenga road and engaged the forces in a gunbattle.Police said four Maoists were killed in the firefight but top Maoist leader K. Koteshwar Rao denied any casualties on their side.Two policemen had been injured in a landmine blast Friday.
Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee briefed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister Chidambaram and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi about the situation and said his government was seriously considering a suggestion to ban the Maoists.“Chidambaram has advised me to ban the outfit. I said I will give the matter serious thought,” Bhattacharjee told newspersons. “I have started thinking on what to do (about banning it).”He said the operation in Lalgarh to flush out the Maoists would continue for some time and added he was happy that the central government had “acted quickly” to send forces for the offensive.
A day after their advance was slowed down in the face of stiff resistance from the rebels, the central and state forces including commandos of the specialised anti-Maoist wing of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) tasted some success as they reached the Lalgarh police station that had been kept locked by policemen from inside since November as they were apprehensive of their own security.
The security forces have been advancing from four directions towards Lalgarh, where the Maoist guerrillas have been active in organising a movement alongside a tribal body. Lalgarh is 200 km from Kolkata.Apart from the main contingent at Bhimpur, three teams are moving from Jhargam and Goaltor in West Midnapore district and Sarenga in Bankura.Koteshwar Rao alias Kishanjee urged the authorities to halt the operations and apologise to the masses to begin a dialogue and exhorted Bhattacharjee not to “dance to the tune” of the central government.
Deputy Inspector General (Midnapore range) of state police Praveen Kumar threw a challenge to the Maoists. “We have surprises in store for them,” he said. “Reaching Lalgarh is one part of the story. Our main objective is to see to it that the authority of the constitution, the state is restored by establishing the rule of law,” Kumar told the media at the police station.
He warned the Maoists that the forces would pay them back in the same manner if they were fired upon and the rebels would be put behind bars.“We would never like to attack anybody other than the Maoists. But when there are human shields against us, then some things happen on the spur of the moment. But we will show restraint as far as common people are concerned.”
A paramilitary trooper, participating in the operation, died of heat stroke after falling sick at the Jhitka jungles, Inspector General of state police (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia told IANS in Kolkata.This is the first death among security forces after they started the march.On the other hand, spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Saturday said Maoists in Lalgarh are willing for negotiations if their basic demands for water and electricity are met.Lalgarh has been on the boil since last November when a landmine exploded on the route of the convoy of Chief Minister Bhattacharjee and then central ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and Jitin Prasada.
Complaining of police atrocities after the blast, angry tribals launched an agitation virtually cutting off the area from the rest of the district. During the last few days, the agitators have torched CPI(M) offices, driven away the ruling party’s supporters and forced the police to leave, thereby establishing a virtual free zone. Maoists are active in three western districts of the state - West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia. They also backed the Trinamool Congress-sponsored movement against the state government’s bid to establish a chemical hub at Nandigram in East Midnapore district.
Maoists created by CPM: Mamata
agitation within the next 48 hours, condemning "state-sponsored terrorism in Lalgarh." The immediate provocation seems to be a comment by chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee,who had alleged that Maoists have "links" with Trinamool Congress. Reacting to this statement of the chief minister made on Friday, Mamata retaliated at a press conference on Saturday saying that "Maoists have been created by the CPM only." She went on to add that Buddhadeb "himself is a Maoist." "If you search his residence, you will find many Maoist literature there," she thundered. "Why has the CM suddenly launched this operation at Lalgarh immediately after Left Front's poll debacle? Why did the CM not arrest the Maoists at Lalgarh much earlier, when he knew everything? He should be sacked immediately " she said. The TMC chief said that Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee should have banned Maoists in West Bengal much earlier. "The state goverrnments of Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh have banned Maoists outfits long back. What was our CM doing all these days," she questioned at the press conference. The TMC chief said that neither the central government nor the state government had informed her about the Lalgarh operations. "Now that the central government has intervened in Lalgarh, I urge them to take action against state sponsored terrorism in Garbeta, Mangalkot, Keshpur, Ghatal, Jhargram and other areas," she said. |
Decision to ban Maoists to be taken in consultation with LF
Mr. Chidambaram had on Friday said the state government should ban the CPI(Maoist). "We think they (Maoists) should be banned in West Bengal as in other states," he had said.Mr. Bhattacharjee's statement had come after his separate meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Mr, Chidambaram during which the Maoist violence in parts of the state came up for discussion. Mr. Bhattacharjee also charged the Trinamool Congress with having "strong links with the group of so-called People's Committee against Police Terror", which was active in Lalgarh, and that its leader Chhatradhar Mahato was "very much a member of the Trinamool Congress." Mr. Basu, who is the Left Front Chairman, said the people of Bengal would have to "unitedly fight back the vicious cycle of violence created by certain ugly forces" in the state. Asked about TC chief Mamata Banerjee's demand that Mr. Bhattacharjee should quit as he was a "Maoist himself", Mr. Basu said "my reaction will be of no consequence because (Maoist leader) Kishenji has himself made it clear that they participated in Nandigram violence and supplied 150 rifles."Kishenji also admitted that even before they entered the area, Trinamool Congress had brought lot of arms to Nandigram," the CPI(M) leader said. Meanwhile, the CPI(M) Central Committee adopted a resolution asking all its party units to stand in solidarity with the Bengal unit to fight the "politics of terror" of the Trinamool-led alliance and the Maoist gangs."There is no doubt that this attack against the CPI(M) and its workers and sympathisers is part of the wider gameplan by powerful vested interests to weaken and destroy the party in its main base of Bengal," a party statement said. The party was of the view that these "fascistic type" of attacks on the CPI(M) were also an attack on the minimum norms of democracy and must be a matter of concern to all democratic- minded citizens.Since March this year, 53 CPI(M) members and supporters were killed apart from those belonging to other Left parties. |
We will give serious thought to banning Maoists: Buddhadeb
NEW DELHI, JUNE 20: West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said on Saturday that his government would give a “serious thought” to the Centre’s suggestion to ban the CPI (Maoists).
“Home Minister P. Chidamabaram advised me to ban this organisation. We have to give it a serious thought. We have started thinking what to do,” he told reporters here after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mr. Chidambaram.
Attacks on cadre part of wider game plan: CPI(M)
It is aimed at weakening party in West Bengal: CPI(M)
“Maoists have created a zone of terror in Lalgarh”
NEW DELHI, JUNE 20: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Saturday said the attack against its workers and sympathisers in West Bengal was part of a “wider game plan” by powerful vested interests to weaken and destroy the party in its main base.
The party said these incidents were also an attack on the basic norms of democracy and must be a matter of concern to all democratic-minded citizens.“Utilising the electoral setback of the CPI(M), armed gangs led in the main, by the Trinamool Congress, have burnt and vandalised houses of comrades and party offices, and like in Khejuri and other parts of East Midnapore, forcibly driven out hundreds of sympathisers and members from their homes unleashing a reign of terror,” the Central Committee said here.
The committee, which began its two-day meeting to review the poll debacle, also condemned “in the strongest possible terms,” the violence and terror against its cadre and supporters in different parts of the State. It noted that since March this year, 53 members had been killed.
The Maoist gangs, with the direct and indirect backing of the Trinamool, had created a zone of terror in Lalgarh.“In one terrible instance, in Lalgarh the body of a comrade was kept in the open for three days and his family was not allowed to cremate it. In Burdwan district, a veteran district committee leader and chairman of the Electricity Standing Committee of the Zilla Parishad, Falguni Mukherjee, was shot dead from point blank range,”
The Central Committee supported the efforts by the Left Front government to free the area from Maoist gangs and to ensure the rule of law, while taking all steps to re-establish links with the poor tribals living in the area. The party asked it units in the country to launch a powerful campaign in solidarity with the comrades in West Bengal against the politics of terror unleashed by the Trinamool-led alliance as well as against the Maoist gangs.
Launch Solidarity Campaign with West Bengal
Press Statement on June 20, 2009
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) now in session at New Delhi has issued the following statement:
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemns in the strongest possible terms, the violence and terror unleashed against CPI(M) cadre, sympathizers and supporters in different areas of Bengal. Since March this year 53 comrades have been mercilessly butchered. In Lalgarh area of West Midnapore district eight CPI(M) members and workers have been brutally killed and houses and offices burnt. Many of these comrades belong to poor peasant, agricultural labour or worker families, from minorities and oppressed castes. Two members of the Forward Bloc, five villagers, three electoral officers and four police personnel have also been killed.
Utilizing the electoral setback of the CPI(M), armed gangs led in the main, by the Trinamool Congress have burnt and vandalized houses of party comrades and party offices, and like in Khejuri and other parts of East Midnapur, forcibly driven out hundreds of sympathizers and members from their homes unleashing a reign of terror. In Burdwan district, a veteran district committee leader and Chairman of the Electricity Standing Committee of the Zilla Parishad, Falguni Mukherjee, was shot dead at point blank range. The extent of the brutality can be seen in the incident in Khejuri when an agricultural worker sympathizer of the Party Pabitra Das was brutally beaten to death. These gangs have dug up areas in the district refusing entry to the police to catch the criminal murderers. In some areas like Murshidabad, a section of the Congress is also involved in the attacks.
In Lalgarh the Maoist gangs with the direct and indirect backing of the TMC have created a zone of terror against all CPI(M) members and supporters. It is noted that the Maoist leaders in the area have openly spoken about their contacts and help to the Trinamool led alliance in all the developments in Nandigram.
In one terrible instance in Lalgarh the body of a comrade was kept in the open for three days and his family was not allowed to cremate it. The Central Committee supports the efforts made by the Left front Government in West Bengal to use both political and administrative measures to free the area from Maoist gangs, to ensure the rule of law, while taking all steps to reestablish links with the poor tribals living in the area.
There is no doubt that this attack against the CPI(M) and its workers and sympathizers is part of a wider gameplan by powerful vested interests to weaken and destroy the Party in its main base of Bengal. At the same time, these fascistic type of attacks on the CPI(M) are also an attack on the minimum norms of democracy and must be a matter of concern to all democratic minded citizens.
The Party is proud of its courageous comrades in Bengal. The Central Committee pays its deep homage to its martyrs and all those killed. The Central Committee calls upon its units all over the country to launch a powerful campaign in solidarity with comrades in West Bengal and against the politics of terror unleashed by the Trinamool led alliance as well as against the Maoist gangs. It appeals also to all democratic minded citizens across the country to raise their voices against such terror based politics against the CPI(M) and Left parties.
“Charge against Trinamool proved”
NEW DELHI, JUNE 19: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday said the admission by a Maoist leader vindicated the party’s charge that the Trinamool Congress was behind the Lalgarh violence in West Bengal.
Left Front chairman Biman Basu, here to attend the party Polit Bureau meeting, said here that the statement by a senior Maoist leader proved what the party had been saying. He said the game plan of the Trinamool Congress and its rainbow coalition stood exposed. His comments came even as the Congress attacked the party for levelling such an allegation.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister A.K. Antony ruled out the possibility of sending armed forces to fight Maoists in Lalgarh area. Talking to journalists here, Mr. Antony said the armed forces could only extend logistic support to the State police and paramilitary forces, already engaged in tackling the naxal menace.
June 20, 2009
Troops enter Maoist stronghold
LALGARH, 20th JUNE: Indian troops entered a Maoist stronghold in West Bengal state on Saturday as they tried to end a rebellion by the left-wing activists who have taken control of hundreds of villages.
Security personnel met little resistance as they moved into the town of Lalgarh, 130 kilometres (80 miles) from Kolkata, Manoj Verma, police superintendent of West Midnapur district, told mediapersons."Our forces have reached Lalgarh police station. It was a smooth march to Lalgarh through the forests," Verma said.
West Bengal home secretary Ardhendu Sen said troops had gained a foothold in Lalgarh but clearing the whole area under rebel control -- comprising more than 1,000 square kilometres (386 square miles) -- would take time.
The advance on Lalgarh was slow as the security forces had been fired on overnight, Praveen Kumar, a senior West Bengal police officer, said."Our men had to progress through a heavily mined forest," he said. "Bridges and culverts bombed by Maoists rebels left the roads impassable for four-wheeled vehicles."
About 1,800 state and federal troops have been deployed to quell the uprising that began one week ago when Maoists and tribal villagers went on the rampage against the state's ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).Police say 10 CPI(M) activists had been killed by Thursday and that security camps and party offices have also been burnt down.
Authorities have airdropped pamphlets appealing for villagers to cooperate with the security forces.The Maoist insurgency, which grew out of a peasant uprising in 1967, has hit 15 of India's 29 states. The rebels say they are fighting for the rights of neglected tribespeople and landless farmers.
“Our party wanted to kill West Bengal's chief minister”
Kolkata: June 19, 2009 06:44 IST
As the country awaits a solution to the Lalgarh crisis, rediff.com's Indrani Roy Mitra caught up with Gour Chakraborty, the CPI (Maoist)'s spokesman, late on Thursday night. The party came into being in September 2004 through the merger of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), the People's War Group and the Maoist Communist Centre of India. The merger was announced on October 14 the same year.
QUESTION: What led to the Lalgarh violence?
Chakraborty: Every act of violence has its roots in torture and repression. Be it the French Revolution, Russian Revolution, Santhal movement or Tebhaga movement, all uprisings resulted from popular discontent.Tribals of Lalgarh have suffered for years. They have been tortured and insulted by the ruling Left Front and the police. What is happening at Lalgarh is nothing but an explosion of tribals' pent-up grievances.
Lalgarh, if you remember, has been on the boil since last November when a landmine exploded near Bhadutala on the route of the convoy of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and then central ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and Jiten Prasada.The ministers were returning after laying the foundation of a steel plant in Salboni.
Soon after, the police launched a massive combing operation and arrested local school students and harassed tribal women.In protest, angry tribals in and around Lalgarh dug up roads, virtually cutting off Lalgarh from the rest of Midnapore.They also demanded a public apology from the police for the alleged excesses against them.The area has witnessed continuous clashes since then.
QUESTION: Hinting at a state within a state, tribal leader Chhatradhar Mahato of the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities said on Thursday his organisation could build infrastructure in just eight months in Lalgarh? Is it true?
Chakraborty: Absolutely. Though the PCAPA is an infant organisation, it has a mission to better the lives of the tribals.The PCAPA is fighting for the tribals's cause, it is seeking justice for them.Like the PCAPA, we too are against violence. But what is happening in Lalgarh is the outburst of the people who have been suffering for the last 32 years.
QUESTION: It is being alleged that you are using women and children as shields.
Chakraborty: This is utter nonsense. We are not using women and children as shields. Hundreds and thousands of tribal women have come out in the open spontaneously, shouting slogans against the police and the administration.They are walking in tandem with us.
QUESTION: How do you justify the loss of so many innocent lives? Why are you killing policemen? They are just doing their jobs.
Chakraborty: One should not underestimate us. We know our strength and weaknesses. We are also aware how strong our 'enemies' are.
QUESTION: You mean your cache of arms and ammunition is huge enough.
Chakraborty: I am not supposed to talk about it. But do remember, we are strong enough to put up a brave fight.
QUESTION: The CPI-M is alleging that the Trinamool Congress is giving you tacit approval. Is it true?
Chakraborty: No, not at all. The Trinamool Congress did seek our support in its fight against the CPI-M in Nandigram.But (Trinamool chief) Mamata Banerjee had only wanted to use Nandigram as a tool to win elections. That was her ulterior motive.
QUESTION: Ms Banerjee recently stated that your party is an offshoot of the Communist Party of India-Marxist.
Chakraborty: As I told you, Mamata Banerjee used Nandigram as an election plank. She used it as a pawn for her party to win Lok Sabha seats. She claims to be against special economic zones. Then why didn't she stand by us in our movement against the Jindal group's planned SEZ in Salboni area? Also, her demand to the Tatas to free 400 acres of land lacked clarity. She should have demanded the entire 1,000 acres. Therefore, we refuse to give any importance to what she says about us.
QUESTION: As we all know, West Bengal saw a huge political change in the recent Lok Sabha polls. The change occurred through a democratic process. Why don't you tread the same path to bring about the so-called transformation?
Chakraborty:The Left Front government has been emerging winner in every election for the last three decades. What has it done for the state of West Bengal? What has it done for the tribals of Lalgarh? Nothing.Which democracy are you talking about?
QUESTION: In a recent press conference, one of your colleagues, Bikash, said that the people of Lalgarh want West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee dead. The landmine blast that narrowly missed the chief minister's car last November was an attempt on his life. Would you like to comment on it?
Chakraborty: On August 14, 2004, Dhananjoy Chatterjee, a rapist and a murderer, was hanged to death in Kolkata.The incident brought to an end Chatterjee's 14-year-long legal battle to escape the noose, as human rights groups held protests outside the Alipore Central Jail against the capital punishment. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and his wife Meera had then reasoned why a rapist and a murderer like Chatterjee should be hanged. Bhattacharjee's government has killed hundreds of people, raped countless women during its tenure.Therefore, may I ask why should he escape capital punishment?
QUESTION: You regret that your party missed its target in November?
Chakraborty: Of course. Our party wanted to kill Bhattacharjee. It failed in its mission. We have every reason to regret. Think of the French Revolution, it was popular force that had brought down a corrupt monarchy. The kings and the queens were guillotined. History tells us that at times, the crooked and the greedy need to be eliminated.
QUESTION: You are the publicist of your party. Your task is to convey the CPI (Maoist)'s messages to the people. Who are your colleagues who actually carry out these attacks?
Chakraborty:The attacks that we plan are carried out by People's Guerilla Army. PGA members act clandestinely. They move in the dark of the night and launch surprise attacks on our enemies. Once PGA members's skills reach the optimum level, their group is rechristened the People's Liberation Army and is considered empowered enough to take on the enemies head on.
Chakraborty: It will be improper to compare the two. The Naxalite movement had a different context. What is happening in Lalgarh is the tribals' way of resisting police atrocities. It's their method of saying, 'Enough is enough'. Those involved with the Naxalite movement had a different motive altogether.
QUESTION: Your party has called a bandh in Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chattisgarh on June 22 and 23. Could you clearly spell out your party's demands?
Chakraborty: We want the entire Lalgarh to be a liberated zone for the tribals. We want them to have a democracy of their own, a democracy that will be guided by a new and free economy. We have three-point demands: Central and state forces must be withdrawn from the entitre jangalmahal; the state government must officially apologise to the tribals for its torture and misbehaviour and it should immediately put an end to police atrocities.Violence in Lalgarh will continue unless our demands are met.
Security forces on Thursday, June 18, moved into the restive Lalgarh region in West Bengal's Midnapore district to end the three-day siege led by the Communist Party of India (Maoist).The Communist Party of India (Maoist) went on a rampage targeting Communist Party of India-Marxist cadres and leaders, destroying their homes and party offices and setting up barricades to block the police and Central Reserve Police Force's entry.
As the country awaits a solution to the Lalgarh crisis, rediff.com's Indrani Roy Mitra caught up with Gour Chakraborty, the CPI (Maoist)'s spokesman, late on Thursday night. The party came into being in September 2004 through the merger of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), the People's War Group and the Maoist Communist Centre of India. The merger was announced on October 14 the same year.
QUESTION: What led to the Lalgarh violence?
Chakraborty: Every act of violence has its roots in torture and repression. Be it the French Revolution, Russian Revolution, Santhal movement or Tebhaga movement, all uprisings resulted from popular discontent.Tribals of Lalgarh have suffered for years. They have been tortured and insulted by the ruling Left Front and the police. What is happening at Lalgarh is nothing but an explosion of tribals' pent-up grievances.
Lalgarh, if you remember, has been on the boil since last November when a landmine exploded near Bhadutala on the route of the convoy of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and then central ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and Jiten Prasada.The ministers were returning after laying the foundation of a steel plant in Salboni.
Soon after, the police launched a massive combing operation and arrested local school students and harassed tribal women.In protest, angry tribals in and around Lalgarh dug up roads, virtually cutting off Lalgarh from the rest of Midnapore.They also demanded a public apology from the police for the alleged excesses against them.The area has witnessed continuous clashes since then.
QUESTION: Hinting at a state within a state, tribal leader Chhatradhar Mahato of the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities said on Thursday his organisation could build infrastructure in just eight months in Lalgarh? Is it true?
Chakraborty: Absolutely. Though the PCAPA is an infant organisation, it has a mission to better the lives of the tribals.The PCAPA is fighting for the tribals's cause, it is seeking justice for them.Like the PCAPA, we too are against violence. But what is happening in Lalgarh is the outburst of the people who have been suffering for the last 32 years.
QUESTION: It is being alleged that you are using women and children as shields.
Chakraborty: This is utter nonsense. We are not using women and children as shields. Hundreds and thousands of tribal women have come out in the open spontaneously, shouting slogans against the police and the administration.They are walking in tandem with us.
QUESTION: How do you justify the loss of so many innocent lives? Why are you killing policemen? They are just doing their jobs.
Chakraborty: We are orchestrating a revolution at Lalgarh. Can you cite an instance where a revolution took place without bloodshed? Our motive is not to take innocent lives.We just want to resist coercion and police atrocities. To counter force, we have to combat and resort to violence.We really feel sorry for those who get martyred in the process, but we can't help it.
QUESTION: The security forces are on their way to free Lalgarh. Are you equipped enough to resist them?
Chakraborty: One should not underestimate us. We know our strength and weaknesses. We are also aware how strong our 'enemies' are.
QUESTION: You mean your cache of arms and ammunition is huge enough.
Chakraborty: I am not supposed to talk about it. But do remember, we are strong enough to put up a brave fight.
QUESTION: The CPI-M is alleging that the Trinamool Congress is giving you tacit approval. Is it true?
Chakraborty: No, not at all. The Trinamool Congress did seek our support in its fight against the CPI-M in Nandigram.But (Trinamool chief) Mamata Banerjee had only wanted to use Nandigram as a tool to win elections. That was her ulterior motive.
QUESTION: Ms Banerjee recently stated that your party is an offshoot of the Communist Party of India-Marxist.
Chakraborty: As I told you, Mamata Banerjee used Nandigram as an election plank. She used it as a pawn for her party to win Lok Sabha seats. She claims to be against special economic zones. Then why didn't she stand by us in our movement against the Jindal group's planned SEZ in Salboni area? Also, her demand to the Tatas to free 400 acres of land lacked clarity. She should have demanded the entire 1,000 acres. Therefore, we refuse to give any importance to what she says about us.
QUESTION: As we all know, West Bengal saw a huge political change in the recent Lok Sabha polls. The change occurred through a democratic process. Why don't you tread the same path to bring about the so-called transformation?
Chakraborty:The Left Front government has been emerging winner in every election for the last three decades. What has it done for the state of West Bengal? What has it done for the tribals of Lalgarh? Nothing.Which democracy are you talking about?
QUESTION: In a recent press conference, one of your colleagues, Bikash, said that the people of Lalgarh want West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee dead. The landmine blast that narrowly missed the chief minister's car last November was an attempt on his life. Would you like to comment on it?
Chakraborty: On August 14, 2004, Dhananjoy Chatterjee, a rapist and a murderer, was hanged to death in Kolkata.The incident brought to an end Chatterjee's 14-year-long legal battle to escape the noose, as human rights groups held protests outside the Alipore Central Jail against the capital punishment. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and his wife Meera had then reasoned why a rapist and a murderer like Chatterjee should be hanged. Bhattacharjee's government has killed hundreds of people, raped countless women during its tenure.Therefore, may I ask why should he escape capital punishment?
QUESTION: You regret that your party missed its target in November?
Chakraborty: Of course. Our party wanted to kill Bhattacharjee. It failed in its mission. We have every reason to regret. Think of the French Revolution, it was popular force that had brought down a corrupt monarchy. The kings and the queens were guillotined. History tells us that at times, the crooked and the greedy need to be eliminated.
QUESTION: You are the publicist of your party. Your task is to convey the CPI (Maoist)'s messages to the people. Who are your colleagues who actually carry out these attacks?
Chakraborty:The attacks that we plan are carried out by People's Guerilla Army. PGA members act clandestinely. They move in the dark of the night and launch surprise attacks on our enemies. Once PGA members's skills reach the optimum level, their group is rechristened the People's Liberation Army and is considered empowered enough to take on the enemies head on.
QUESTION: Can the Lalgarh incident be compared to the Naxalite movement?
Chakraborty: It will be improper to compare the two. The Naxalite movement had a different context. What is happening in Lalgarh is the tribals' way of resisting police atrocities. It's their method of saying, 'Enough is enough'. Those involved with the Naxalite movement had a different motive altogether.
QUESTION: Your party has called a bandh in Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chattisgarh on June 22 and 23. Could you clearly spell out your party's demands?
Chakraborty: We want the entire Lalgarh to be a liberated zone for the tribals. We want them to have a democracy of their own, a democracy that will be guided by a new and free economy. We have three-point demands: Central and state forces must be withdrawn from the entitre jangalmahal; the state government must officially apologise to the tribals for its torture and misbehaviour and it should immediately put an end to police atrocities.Violence in Lalgarh will continue unless our demands are met.
Security forces resume advance to Lalgarh
Pirakata (WB), Jun 19(PTI): After foiling resistance by Maoist-backed tribals, security forces today resumed their push cautiously towards Lalgarh, a stronghold of the ultras, sweeping the roads for mines as the agitators blew up a bridge to stall their movement.The forces moved out from Pirakata where they had halted for the night and resumed the march towards Lalgarh, 26 km from here, in a pincer movement from Pirrakuli and Sarenda in adjacent Bankura district, a senior police officer said.
They used mine detectors to sweep the roads and forests before driving ahead in heavy vehicles from Pirrakuli, 10 km from here.An IAF helicopter made a sortie over Lalgarh, where Maoist leaders, including a key functionary Kisanji, were believed to be holed up, dropping leaflets asking the people not to allow themselves to be used as human shields.
The tribals under the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities blocked all the roads leading to Lalgarh which has come under their control with the police having withdrawn from camps earlier fearing capture of their weapons.Roads at Dahijuri and Dherua were dug up and trees felled to obstruct the advance by armed police and Central security forces, while a bridge over a river at Binpur was blown up, the police official said.The security forces planned to set up base camps at Goaltore, Salboni and Jhargram, besides in Pirakata, he said.
'Naxals other than those of West Bengal unit present in Lalgarh'
Lalgarh/Ranchi (PTI): Groups of Left-wing extremists, which have taken control over almost 50 villages in Lalgarh, consist not only of cadres operating in West Bengal but also from neighbouring Jharkhand and Orissa, Central security agency sources said.
"There are ample inputs suggesting that the Lalgarh operation of the ultras did not take all of a sudden. A slow build up was happening from much earlier. The West Bengal Naxal units are being assisted by those from the neighbouring Jharkhand and Orissa also," sources said.
Pointing out that there was nothing new in Jharkhand-based Naxals operating in West Bengal, they said in earlier incidents, Maoists after carrying out a major attack in Jharkhand use to cross over to West Bengal, which they considered as "safe heaven".
Sources said the Naxals, who are now using women and children as human shields to prevent state and central forces from entering the villages, are also heavily armed. "As per inputs, many of them are carrying AK-47. It is only senior Naxals of commandant level who carry such guns.Even top executive members of the CPI (Maoists) are also present in the area," the sources said.
They, however, said it is unlikely that the senior Naxals would stay put in the area and take on the forces directly."They would most probably withdraw and leave the fight to the local units and the villagers," sources said.Jharkhand police sources said they have been contemplating the possibility of a joint operation with their West Bengal counterparts for over a year but without any success.
"We know that Naxals who operate in Jharkhand keep moving into West Bengal. We are still hopeful that joint or a coordinated operation could be undertaken to take on the extremists," the sources said.The Union Home Ministry has already sent a total of 16 companies (1,600 personnel) including an all-women company to the state to tackle the Lalgarh situation besides about 120 personnel of the elite anti-Naxal force CoBRA.
Maoists pool in resources for Operation Lalgarh
19 Jun 2009, 0311 hrs IST, Sandeep Mishra & Sonali Das, TIMES OF INDIA
BHUBANESWAR/RANCHI: Money from Jharkhand, weapons from Orissa, cadres from Chhattisgarh and leadership from Andhra Pradesh. The Maoists' strategy seems to be clear. And the next big target for them is apparently the place where it had all started over four decades back: West Bengal. If police well-versed with Naxalite operations are to be believed, the ongoing bloodletting at Lalgarh in West Bengal is part of a detailed plan to expand Maoist dominance. "As it appears, the Maoists have decided to revive violence in a big way in West Bengal. And might be thinking of creating a liberated zone' encompassing northern Orissa, parts of Jharkhand and Lalgarh and its neighbourhood in West Bengal, akin to the one they have been striving to set up in the southernmost parts of Orissa, parts of Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh," observed a senior police officer. "In the latter case, the Maoists' presence is huge. While Abusmad in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh serves as the Maoist nerve centre, Malkangiri in Orissa and Khammam in AP are under in their grip," the officer said. "The extremists are strong in parts of Jharkhand and have stepped up their offensives in the Similipal forest area of Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh districts of Orissa. While Mayurbhanj borders West Bengal, Sundargarh borders parts of Jharkhand. By launching a series of attacks in Lalgarh, the ultras might be working on dominating an area spread over Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal. This is to some extent evident from the manner in which they are launching attacks in quick succession in different states possibly to prevent the policemen from helping their counterparts in other states," he added. Take the example of Jharkhand. The spurt in violence over the past 10 days which saw 25 policemen killed and an almost equal number of weapons including Insas rifles and SLRs looted has raised suspicions that this was preparation for Operation Lalgarh. Though Orissa Police is not sure about how Orissa-based Maoists are helping their counterparts in Lalgarh, sources said in all probability arms looted by extremists from the state could have found their way into Bengal. "The central committee of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) decided how the looted arms and ammunition is to be distributed. Over the past few years, the radicals' aim has been to loot maximum weapons and explosives from Orissa. Ergo, there is every possibility that those might have been sent to other states," sources in the know disclosed. The ultras had in February 2004 looted the district armoury in Koraput district, while in February 2008, they took away around 1,100 arms and truckloads of ammunition from police establishments in Nayagarh district. Recently, the Maoists had looted large quantity of explosives from Nalco mines in the Damanjodi area of Koraput. Jharkhand police say that the Maoist sphere of influence stretches across state borders and nothing can be gained by talking of Moaists from Bengal or Jharkhand. "It is naive to say that Maoists from Jharkhand have crossed over to spread violence in Lalgarh," said IG S N Pradhan. Pradhan was reacting to Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's statement that Maoists from Jharkhand were causing trouble in Bengal. "Is CPI(Maoist) leader in Belpahari, Rahulji, from Jharkhand?" he asked sarcastically. Jharkhand Police says that the Maoist corridor stretches from Pashupati in Nepal to Tirupati down south. "The Nayagarh incident in Orissa shows how Maoists from all over the country had congregated to kill 13 policemen and a civilian in a gunbattle. The Maoists have a limited guerrilla cadre and whenever a full strength is needed, they get together from all over the country," police said. In the last week of May, the Chakulia police in the Ghatshila subdivision of West Singbhum district, bordering Purulia and West Midnapore in Bengal, had to push back members of the Maoist-backed People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA). Police also detained 11 PCPA women's wing members after which hundreds of PCPA men, women and children with traditional arms lay siege close to the police station. This was followed by a series of landmine blasts and ambushes,with the Maoists almost capturing the coal city of Phusro in Bermo block of Bokaro district, where they killed 10 policemen in a landmine blast and looted rifles. The killings continued at Goelkera in West Singbhum, Khunti and Palamu. With the Lalgarh operation beginning only days later, questions are being raised on whether the incidents here were a prelude to the final operation. Jharkhand Police, however, is on the alert fearing a similar Lalgarh like operation in the state. Whenever there is pressure from the police on the Maoists in any of these states, they cross over to bordering states till the dust settles. The Bengal-Jharkhand border is very porous and the entry point is Purulia-Bankura-Chakulia to downhill Pabra and Jamshedpur. Though police claim to have sealed these borders, the terrain hands the Maoists an advantage. "We are on alert and have posted forces on the border. We're also in touch with our counterparts in Bengal," said DGP V D Ram.
BHUBANESWAR/RANCHI: Money from Jharkhand, weapons from Orissa, cadres from Chhattisgarh and leadership from Andhra Pradesh. The Maoists' strategy seems to be clear. And the next big target for them is apparently the place where it had all started over four decades back: West Bengal. If police well-versed with Naxalite operations are to be believed, the ongoing bloodletting at Lalgarh in West Bengal is part of a detailed plan to expand Maoist dominance. "As it appears, the Maoists have decided to revive violence in a big way in West Bengal. And might be thinking of creating a liberated zone' encompassing northern Orissa, parts of Jharkhand and Lalgarh and its neighbourhood in West Bengal, akin to the one they have been striving to set up in the southernmost parts of Orissa, parts of Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh," observed a senior police officer. "In the latter case, the Maoists' presence is huge. While Abusmad in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh serves as the Maoist nerve centre, Malkangiri in Orissa and Khammam in AP are under in their grip," the officer said. "The extremists are strong in parts of Jharkhand and have stepped up their offensives in the Similipal forest area of Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh districts of Orissa. While Mayurbhanj borders West Bengal, Sundargarh borders parts of Jharkhand. By launching a series of attacks in Lalgarh, the ultras might be working on dominating an area spread over Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal. This is to some extent evident from the manner in which they are launching attacks in quick succession in different states possibly to prevent the policemen from helping their counterparts in other states," he added. Take the example of Jharkhand. The spurt in violence over the past 10 days which saw 25 policemen killed and an almost equal number of weapons including Insas rifles and SLRs looted has raised suspicions that this was preparation for Operation Lalgarh. Though Orissa Police is not sure about how Orissa-based Maoists are helping their counterparts in Lalgarh, sources said in all probability arms looted by extremists from the state could have found their way into Bengal. "The central committee of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) decided how the looted arms and ammunition is to be distributed. Over the past few years, the radicals' aim has been to loot maximum weapons and explosives from Orissa. Ergo, there is every possibility that those might have been sent to other states," sources in the know disclosed. The ultras had in February 2004 looted the district armoury in Koraput district, while in February 2008, they took away around 1,100 arms and truckloads of ammunition from police establishments in Nayagarh district. Recently, the Maoists had looted large quantity of explosives from Nalco mines in the Damanjodi area of Koraput. Jharkhand police say that the Maoist sphere of influence stretches across state borders and nothing can be gained by talking of Moaists from Bengal or Jharkhand. "It is naive to say that Maoists from Jharkhand have crossed over to spread violence in Lalgarh," said IG S N Pradhan. Pradhan was reacting to Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's statement that Maoists from Jharkhand were causing trouble in Bengal. "Is CPI(Maoist) leader in Belpahari, Rahulji, from Jharkhand?" he asked sarcastically. Jharkhand Police says that the Maoist corridor stretches from Pashupati in Nepal to Tirupati down south. "The Nayagarh incident in Orissa shows how Maoists from all over the country had congregated to kill 13 policemen and a civilian in a gunbattle. The Maoists have a limited guerrilla cadre and whenever a full strength is needed, they get together from all over the country," police said. In the last week of May, the Chakulia police in the Ghatshila subdivision of West Singbhum district, bordering Purulia and West Midnapore in Bengal, had to push back members of the Maoist-backed People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA). Police also detained 11 PCPA women's wing members after which hundreds of PCPA men, women and children with traditional arms lay siege close to the police station. This was followed by a series of landmine blasts and ambushes,with the Maoists almost capturing the coal city of Phusro in Bermo block of Bokaro district, where they killed 10 policemen in a landmine blast and looted rifles. The killings continued at Goelkera in West Singbhum, Khunti and Palamu. With the Lalgarh operation beginning only days later, questions are being raised on whether the incidents here were a prelude to the final operation. Jharkhand Police, however, is on the alert fearing a similar Lalgarh like operation in the state. Whenever there is pressure from the police on the Maoists in any of these states, they cross over to bordering states till the dust settles. The Bengal-Jharkhand border is very porous and the entry point is Purulia-Bankura-Chakulia to downhill Pabra and Jamshedpur. Though police claim to have sealed these borders, the terrain hands the Maoists an advantage. "We are on alert and have posted forces on the border. We're also in touch with our counterparts in Bengal," said DGP V D Ram.
CPI(M) leader among four killed in clashes
LALGARH/BINPUR (WEST MIDNAPORE), 19 Jun 2009: As Bengal launched a counter-offensive against the Maoists, the attacks on CPI (M) cadres continued near Jhargram. Maoists brutally murdered a CPI(M) leader and three others near Goaltore.
The bodies, with throats slit and buried in a patch of 'shaal' forest, were found early Thursday. Families of the dead were left watching the corpses decompose in the heat as police stayed away. "If we cremate them, how will we prove that they were murdered? Will you ask the police to come," a kin of one of the victims pleaded with mediapersons.
In the attacks since the CPI (M) was routed in LS polls, nearly 30 people have been killed, mostly CPI (M) local leaders and activists. CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has left the door open for talks. Before leaving for Delhi on Thursday, the CM appealed to villagers to distance themselves from Maoists. Bhattacharjee will meet PM Manmohan Singh and Union home minister P Chidambaram on Friday.
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