Reports suggest tribals living in areas along the Jharkhand-Bengal border have formed an armed anti-Maoist Front called Sendra Committee, which is gearing up to fight the ultras on the lines of Salwa Judum of Chhattisgarh and is also acting as a key source of information for the joint forces. Though the West Bengal police are tightlipped, sources say support for the Committee is pouring in from the border villages, where locals have shunned elusive Maoist leader Kishenji and his 17 armed squads. The tribal group has also been urging fellow villagers not to provide shelter or food to the Maoists.

In the Jhargram-Lalgarh belt in Bengal, where the Maoists have been most active, many tribal-dominated villages like Nimdi, Mango, Ghatshila, Chakulia and Chandil, all from Jharkhand, have joined the Committee.

“The majority of the tribal population in these areas surrounding the Dalma Range is now boycotting the Maoists. Many are still with the ultras because of fear. The tribals opposing the Maoists have also set up a committee of their own to protect themselves. We believe Kishenji and CPI (Maoists) have done no good for the tribals. There is deprivation here, but Maoists have no solution for it,” said Gurucharan Kisku alias Marshal, who broke away from CPI (Maoists) and was present in one of the meetings of the Committee.

Sources said the armed group has also established links with the Gana Pratirodh Committee, an unarmed anti-Maoist faction active in Jangalmahal. It all began in December 2009, when tribals from five police station areas in Jharkhand held a meeting at Patamda, not far from the Bengal border, to declare a “war” against the Maoists. Marshal, who recently accused Kishenji of dishonouring the tribal sentiment and culture, also attended the meeting. According to sources, Marshal has with him a band of 150 gunmen.

Maoists are also said to be losing support in their strongholds like Chhoto Pelia, Baro Pelia and Kantapahari in West Midnapore. Chhoto Pelia was the headquarters of the arrested PCAPA leader Chhatradhar Mahato.