The meeting was attended by thousands of tribals armed with traditional weapons, who reiterated their demand that the administration hold a meeting at Chotopelia village, the epicenter of the agitation. Citing lack of security, the local administration has, however, refused to hold such a meeting.

The committee leaders declared that the agitation will continue and no roadblock will be lifted unless the administration came to talk to the villagers.

Sidhu Soren, a leader of the committee, has claimed that non-tribals, too, are joining the agitation. “We requested the additional district magistrate to come to Chotopelia. But he has refused and now we don’t see any hope of the crisis being resolved soon,” said Soren.

Sources in the district administration said the local police have been asked not to enter the villages that are “captured” by the Maoists. “We have realised that if they continue their agitation, the locals will face a crises of kerosene and other essential commodities,” said a senior officer in Midnapore.