NAXAL/ MAOISTS- 2009 - Indian Social Institute

last, angry tribals launched an agitation virtually cutting off the area from the rest of the district. Duringthe last few days, the agitators have torched CPI-M offices, driven away the ruling party's supporters andforced the police to leave, thereby establishing a virtual free zone. Maoists are active in three westerndistricts of the state - West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia. They also backed the Trinamool Congresssponsoredmovement against the state government's bid to establish a chemical hub at Nandigram inEast Midnapore district. (New Kerala 20/6/09)Naxal situation in Lalgarh sensitive and tense: Chidambaram (12)New Delhi (PTI) The situation in West Bengal's Lalgarh area, where security forces are fighting to clear aMaoist siege, is "sensitive" and "tense", Home Minister P Chidambaram said on Sunday while askingpolitical leaders to avoid going to the conflict zones. "The situation in Lalgarh is sensitive and continues tobe tense," he said while also making a reference to a call for a two-day bandh from tomorrow given by theCPI-Maoist in five naxal-affected states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal.. "Iappeal to all citizens especially political leaders, NGOs and others not to go to the conflict areas," he saidin a statement here. The Home Minister said the security forces must carry out their work without"distraction". The security forces, which have reclaimed control of key Lalgarh police station area, were onSunday pushing deeper into the region to break the Maoist siege of 17 villages considered to bestrongholds of the ultras and tribals backed by them. Meanwhile, in view of the two-day bandh call givenby the CPI-Maoist from Monday, the Centre has asked five Naxal-hit states to remain alert againstpossible "demonstrative acts of violence" by left-wing extremists. The alert was issued by the UnionHome Ministry on the basis of intelligence inputs. The inputs have been shared with the states who havebeen asked to take "precautionary and pre-emptive measures" ahead of the two-day strike call given byCPI (Maoist) on June 22 and 23, in Bihar Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal, AdditionalSecretary (Naxal Management) in Home Ministry D R S Chaudhary said in a statement. "All other stategovernments have also been alerted," the statement said. The government has also asked securitypersonnel to remain vigilant against IEDs and landmines which have targeted them earlier. "While everyeffort will be made to maintain law and order and to ensure security of people, it is requested that peopleshould also remain vigilant and cooperate with the police and other security personnel," it said. Securitypersonnel have reclaimed control of key Lalgarh police station area in West Midnapore district of WestBengal and are moving ahead to break the Maoist siege of 17 villages considered strongholds of theultras and tribals backed by them. (The Hindu 21/6/09)'Maoists' vent ire on Citu office in Purulia (12)PURULIA/NANDAKUMAR (EAST MIDNAPORE): Suspected Maoists set fire to a Citu office in Purulia'sBarabazar around midnight on Monday. While leaving the area, the attackers shouted slogans warningthat the state was playing with fire by continuing with police and paramilitary operations at Lalgarh. ACPM local committee office was also set ablaze by an angry mob in East Midnapore's Nandakumar. Thebuilding housing the office of the Citu-affiliated Beldi Apide Mine Employees ' Union in Barabazar, Purulia, was partially gutted. The attackers who set the office ablaze shouted 'CPI (Maoists) Zindabad' , warningthat more fires would burn if the Lalgarh operation continues. "Prima facie evidence indicates that Maoistsare behind the blaze. We are investigating ," said Purulia SP Rajesh Yadav. No one has been arrestedyet. The district CPM leadership , however, alleged that Trinamool was behind the attack, not Maoists.CPM state committee member Monindra Gope and Gangadhar Mahato, secretary of the mine employees'union, alleged that Trinamool, disguised as Maoists, had carried out the attack. Rejecting the allegation,district Trinamool president K P Singh Deo said: "We are not involved." However, fingers are beingpointed at Trinamool for Tuesday morning's attack and subsequent blaze at the CPM local committeeoffice at Phekua Bazaar in Nandakumar. Locals alleged that women were frequently harassed inside theoffice. They alleged that a girl student was attacked there on Monday . When her family went to protest,they were severely beaten up by CPM activists and supporters, alleged Bablu Mondal, a local. Localsbarged into the CPM office on Tuesday morning to protest the alleged harassment of women andMonday's attack. An altercation broke out between them and party workers. The mob attacked the partyworkers and set the office ablaze. A fire tender was sent and managed to control the blaze after a while.(Times of India 24/6/09)Bengal says yes to ban, Maoists to talks (6)