It’s not over, say Maoists with a blast in Lalgarh

Kolkata Defying the heavy security, the Maoists on Thursday exploded a powerful IED near Lalgarh Block Development Office, where state government secretaries were stationed. The site is a stone’s throw from the Lalgarh police station and the blast has raised questions on the security of the sanitised areas.

“A single incident cannot deny us victory. The mine was already there but it was exploded today. However, no one was injured,” said Praveen Kumar, DIG Midnapore Range, who is heading the operations in Lalgarh.

“We have recovered long wires that were used to detonate it. We have specific information regarding the group behind the incident and they will be arrested soon,” he added.

The mine was planted just near the police check-post beside the BDO office. Around 7.30 am, locals heard a loud noise and saw smoke billowing from the area. No policeman was on duty at the check-post at the time of the incident. Soon after, the bomb detection squad and a huge contingent of policemen rushed to the spot. Over 250 metres of wires was recovered from the site.

According to the police, the IED was already planted in the area and the Maoists managed to connect it with wire on Thursday morning and explode it. The area, significantly, is the centre of activities of the security forces and was heavily guarded.

Two senior officials sent from the Writers’ Buildings, Milk Comissioner Barun Roy and Principal Secretary (PHE) Sourav Das, were stationed at the BDO office when the blast took place. The explosion has sent shock waves among the government officials. “We have spoken to Praveen Kumar to arrange for our security. The government officials should be provided high security wherever they go,” said Roy.

Security forces, meanwhile, raided Boropelia and Chotopelia villages and other areas of Kantapahari to arrest tribal leader Chhatradhar Mahato. The villages were combed by security forces.

“We have secured the major roads and set up camps. But there is a lot of work to do. Miscreants will not be spared,” said Praveen Kumar. A senior officer said all the local police stations have been asked to gather information about the Maoist squads active in their areas and people against whom there are general diaries and FIRs.

State Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen said, “The CRPF has been asked to stay in Lalgarh and surrounding areas for one more month. There are still 100 armed Maoists present in Lalgarh. Tomorrow, DGP Bhupinder Singh and DIG (CRPF) A S Gill will visit West Midnapore and Purulia.” Regarding the arrest of Mahato, Sen said, “He will be arrested when found.”