On Tuesday, the joint security forces had detained around 70 people from Kolkata and elsewhere trying to enter the forests in Pirakata. Three journalists, along with three members of the human rights group APDR, were part of the group. After scrutiny, 13 were arrested and the rest let off.

Those arrested included Nisha Biswas, scientist of Central Ceramic and Glass Research Centre, Kanishka Choudhury, professor of Behala college and author Manik Mondal. The rest were villagers from the area.

Manoj Verma, SP, West Midnapore said: “We have slapped sections of sedition, waging war against state and criminal conspiracy against the arrested persons as we have evidence against them.”

According to sources, the team was moving in the area for last four to five days.

“They have conducted meetings with the squads of the CPI-Maoists and the PCAPA and provided them with financial assistance,” said a senior police officer. “Moreover, a kangaroo court was also conducted in front of them and they witnessed people being tortured horribly in the name of justice.”