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On 18 June morning at about 8:00 ([[Indian Standard Time|IST]]), the CRPF along with State Riot Police and Commandoes proceeded toward [[Pirakata]] enroute to Lalgarh.<ref name="quickwork" /> Further meetings were conducted during the day between Police and district officials on the method of the operation. It was decided that the security forces would march towards Lalgarh as the roads were dug up and trees has been placed as blockades on the roads. The forces started out for the operations at around 16:00 (IST) from Pirakata.<ref name="quickwork" /> The forces faced the first resistance from the villagers at Malida village which is around two kilometres from Pirakata, where around 2000 villagers had gathered. After warning by the additional Superintendent of Police to leave the place, tear gas shells were fired and subsequent lathi charge was made to disperse the mob.<ref name="quickwork" /> The police raided some houses and detained some villagers in search of Maoists.<ref name="securityhindu" /> The police were also successful to disperse and remove three more blockades during the day including one at Tirlakhali, and proceeded further 2 kilometres to Bhimpur village at 18:30 IST.<ref name="quickwork" /> The forces decided to push back 2km and halt for the night by the roadside at Koima. Some of them retreated another 1km to Tirlakhali. During setting up of the camp, some gun shots were fired at the police forces from the from the paddy fields at short intervals and the police force return fired in the direction without resulting any causalities.<ref name="quickwork" /> The police force scanned the area through nigh vision binocular. The CRPF men who took part in the action were replaced at night by those kept in reserve at the Pirakata camp while the district riot police have been replaced by the state armed police.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090619/jsp/frontpage/story_11132176.jsp|title=ACTION AT LAST |last=Basu|first=Kinsuk|date=2009-06-19|publisher=The Telegraph|accessdate=2009-06-19}}</ref>
On 18 June morning at about 8:00 ([[Indian Standard Time|IST]]), the CRPF along with State Riot Police and Commandoes proceeded toward [[Pirakata]] enroute to Lalgarh.<ref name="quickwork" /> Further meetings were conducted during the day between Police and district officials on the method of the operation. It was decided that the security forces would march towards Lalgarh as the roads were dug up and trees has been placed as blockades on the roads. The forces started out for the operations at around 16:00 (IST) from Pirakata.<ref name="quickwork" /> The forces faced the first resistance from the villagers at Malida village which is around two kilometres from Pirakata, where around 2000 villagers had gathered. After warning by the additional Superintendent of Police to leave the place, tear gas shells were fired and subsequent lathi charge was made to disperse the mob.<ref name="quickwork" /> The police raided some houses and detained some villagers in search of Maoists.<ref name="securityhindu" /> The police were also successful to disperse and remove three more blockades during the day including one at Tirlakhali, and proceeded further 2 kilometres to Bhimpur village at 18:30 IST.<ref name="quickwork" /> The forces decided to push back 2km and halt for the night by the roadside at Koima. Some of them retreated another 1km to Tirlakhali. During setting up of the camp, some gun shots were fired at the police forces from the from the paddy fields at short intervals and the police force return fired in the direction without resulting any causalities.<ref name="quickwork" /> The police force scanned the area through nigh vision binocular. The CRPF men who took part in the action were replaced at night by those kept in reserve at the Pirakata camp while the district riot police have been replaced by the state armed police.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090619/jsp/frontpage/story_11132176.jsp|title=ACTION AT LAST |last=Basu|first=Kinsuk|date=2009-06-19|publisher=The Telegraph|accessdate=2009-06-19}}</ref>


On 19 June 2009, the morning several leaflets in [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and [[Ol Chiki]] were distributed from the [[Indian Air Force]] helicopters by the government to stay away from the Maoists and refrain from becoming human shields.<ref name="pticobra">{{cite news|url=http://www.ptinews.com/pti\ptisite.nsf/0/D77CE9DF4B307A4E652575DA0033A0E1?OpenDocument|title=COBRA forces begin operation|date=2009-06-19|publisher=Press Trust of India|accessdate=2009-06-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/IAF-choppers-drop-leaflets-over-Lalgarh/articleshow/4675573.cms|first=IAF choppers drop leaflets|date=2009-06-19|publisher=Times of India|accessdate=2009-06-19}}</ref> The squads have started operation in one of the most infamous place known as Jhitkha Jungle, which is considered to be Maoist's den keeping in front the COBRA force dividing in two different groups of about 200 soldiers.<ref name="pticobra" /> Another squad of police have surrounded the area around [[Sarenga]] in adjacent [[Bankura district]] to seal the escape routes of the Maoists.<ref name="pticobra" /> A report of including 3 companies of [[Border Security Force]] (BSF) in the operation has been reported. The security forces tried to advance towards Lalgarh from four different ways; from Sarenga in Bankura district, from [[Goaltore]], from [[Jhargram]]-[[Dahijuri]] route and the mainly through Midnapur- Pirakata route. The helicopters were used during the day mainly over the Lalgarh - Dharampur area for air survellience. The police faced small resistance from the villagers. However, they were confronted by the Maoists who gun fired at several places including, Pirrakhuli, Pinbani and between Pirakata and Bhimpur. Police were also forced to stop at various places due to suspect of landmine on the road or as the bridges were destroyed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/Security-forces-continue-march-to-Lalgarh/articleshow/4675676.cms|title=Security forces continue march to Lalgarh|date=2009-06-19|publisher=Economic Times|accessdate=2009-06-19}}</ref> The police coming from the Sarenga route stopped at Kargil More. They also broke a demonstration stage and lathi charged the PCAPA members who were present in the demonstration. At about 20:00 IST, there has been a report of landmine blast near Pirakata Bazaar on SDPO’s car in which two police personnel has been grievously injured. The state government has asked for more 6 companies of CRPF from the Central Government to assist the state police in the operation.
On 19 June 2009, the morning several leaflets in [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and [[Ol Chiki]] were distributed from the [[Indian Air Force]] helicopters by the government to stay away from the Maoists and refrain from becoming human shields.<ref name="pticobra">{{cite news|url=http://www.ptinews.com/pti\ptisite.nsf/0/D77CE9DF4B307A4E652575DA0033A0E1?OpenDocument|title=COBRA forces begin operation|date=2009-06-19|publisher=Press Trust of India|accessdate=2009-06-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/IAF-choppers-drop-leaflets-over-Lalgarh/articleshow/4675573.cms|first=IAF choppers drop leaflets|date=2009-06-19|publisher=Times of India|accessdate=2009-06-19}}</ref> The squads had started operation in one of the most infamous place known as Jhitkha Jungle, which is considered to be Maoist's den keeping in front the COBRA force dividing in two different groups of about 200 soldiers.<ref name="pticobra" /> Another squad of police have surrounded the area around [[Sarenga]] in adjacent [[Bankura district]] to seal the escape routes of the Maoists.<ref name="pticobra" /> A total of 3 companies of [[Border Security Force]] (BSF)has been deployed in the operation, 3 more companies of BSF has been sent to Lalgarh.<ref name="samay" /> This is the first time the BSF has been deployed in anti-Naxal operations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090619/jsp/bengal/story_11132147.jsp|title=Naxalite test for BSF, Centre tightens scan|last=Dholabhai|first=Nisith|date=2009-06-19|publisher=The Telegraph|accessdate=2009-06-19}}</ref> The security forces tried to advance towards Lalgarh from four different ways; from Sarenga in Bankura district, from [[Goaltore]], from [[Jhargram]]-[[Dahijuri]] route and the mainly through Midnapur- Pirakata route.<ref name="etsecurity" /> The helicopters were used during the day mainly over the Lalgarh - Dharampur area for air survellience.<ref name="samay">{{cite news|url=http://www.samaylive.com/news/gunbattle-broke-out-crpfbsf-move-towards-lalgarh/635475.html|title=Gunbattle broke out, CRPF-BSF move towards Lalgarh|last=Khan|first=Noor|date=2009-06-19|publisher=Samay Live|accessdate=2009-06-19}}</ref> The police faced small resistance from the villagers. However, they were confronted by the Maoists who gun fired at several places including, Pirrakhuli, Pinbani and between Pirakata and Bhimpur.<ref name="samay" /> Police were also forced to stop at various places due to suspect of landmine on the road or as the bridges were destroyed.<ref name ="etsecurity">{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/Security-forces-continue-march-to-Lalgarh/articleshow/4675676.cms|title=Security forces continue march to Lalgarh|date=2009-06-19|publisher=Economic Times|accessdate=2009-06-19}}</ref> The police coming from the Sarenga route stopped at Kargil More. They also broke a demonstration stage and lathi charged the PCAPA members who were present in the demonstration. At about 20:00 IST, there has been a report of landmine blast near Pirakata Bazaar on SDPO’s car in which two police personnel has been grievously injured. The state government has asked for more 6 companies of CRPF from the Central Government to assist the state police in the operation.


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 15:59, 19 June 2009

Operation Lalgarh is an ongoing operation against the Maoists who have been active in organising a tribal movement alongside a group called the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) by the police and security forces in Lalgarh, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal to restore law and order in the area and flush out the Maoists.[1][2]

Background

The road to Largarh from Medinipur and Jhargram had been blocked at several places with large felled trees[3].

The incident has its root back in November 2008 when on the way back from laying the foundation stone of Jindal steel plant at Shalboni the convoy of chief minister of West Bengal Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and then central minister Ram Vilas Paswan came under a landmine attack by the Maoists.[4] Though both the ministers were unharmed, it hit a police jeep in the convoy and six policemen were grievously injured. The CPI(Maoist) in a press release accepted the responsibility of the explosion and stated clearly that they were opposed to the steel plant on tribal land and that the target of the explosion was Buddhadeb Bhattacharya.

The leaflet printed and put up by The People's Committee Against Police Atrocities, West Midnapore, West Bengal.

The locals allege that Lalgarh police station has long been torturing and detaining adivasis at the smallest pretext on basis of speculation. On 4 November 2008 evening, four boys all studying in high school between standards 8 and 10, were going to their homes in Bashber Village on foot. They were returning from Katapahari, where a program of Baul Song was going on. On the way they were picked up by Lalgarh police for being suspected Maoists[5] The villagers were enraged in the incident and surrounded the Lalgarh police station and blockades were made on several roads by felling trees and digging the roads. Later they formed a committee named People's Committee against Police Atrocities which demanded on thirteen issues and put up posters to publisise the the same. The major demands include the Superintendent of Police of Paschim Medinipur district has to hold his ears and ask for forgiveness and he has to say ‘Form now onwards I will stop illegally arresting the people and especially women' and release of those illegelly arrested and cases has to be dropped against them. Some of the demands of the committee were met and cases against those children arrested were dropped. In turn the Committee removed some of the blockades, though police were not allowed to patrol the area. The Maoists congratulated the people of Lalgarh for their protest, but stopped short if claiming the movement to be under their control[6]. The people of Lalgarh however continually maintained that their movement was peaceful and for demand of basic democratic rights.

The 2009 Loksabha election saw a change of power from the Left Wing to the Trinamool Congress- Congress coalitions in West Bengal, with the coalition winning a total of 25 seats out of 42 seats. Most parts of West Bengal witness post-election political clash and mostly in the Midnapore and Hooghly districts.[7] In Lalgarh area, the CPIM party offices and houses of leaders were ransacked by the people who allege to be getting support from the Maoists.[8] The attacks were increased as the arms and ammullations were recovered from those party offices.[9][10] Many of the CPIM supporters have either joined the Committee or have left the area in fear of attacks. The people socially boycotted the police, and stopped them from buying foods and other essentials, which forced the police to leave their camps in the Lalgarh area making it a virtual free zone.[11][2]

Operation

The Government of West Bengal asked assistance from the Central Government to assist the West Bengal Police in the operations against the Maoists in Lalgarh.[12][13] Five companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and two companies of Command Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) forces who are specially trained to combat with the Maoist arrived at Midnapore on 17 June 2009.[2] In a special meeting between District Officials, Deputy General of Police (West Bengal) and home Secretary Ardhendu Sarkar the decision to launch the operation was decided. The final order to start the operation was given by Chief Minister, Buddhadev Bhattacharya.[14]

On 18 June morning at about 8:00 (IST), the CRPF along with State Riot Police and Commandoes proceeded toward Pirakata enroute to Lalgarh.[14] Further meetings were conducted during the day between Police and district officials on the method of the operation. It was decided that the security forces would march towards Lalgarh as the roads were dug up and trees has been placed as blockades on the roads. The forces started out for the operations at around 16:00 (IST) from Pirakata.[14] The forces faced the first resistance from the villagers at Malida village which is around two kilometres from Pirakata, where around 2000 villagers had gathered. After warning by the additional Superintendent of Police to leave the place, tear gas shells were fired and subsequent lathi charge was made to disperse the mob.[14] The police raided some houses and detained some villagers in search of Maoists.[2] The police were also successful to disperse and remove three more blockades during the day including one at Tirlakhali, and proceeded further 2 kilometres to Bhimpur village at 18:30 IST.[14] The forces decided to push back 2km and halt for the night by the roadside at Koima. Some of them retreated another 1km to Tirlakhali. During setting up of the camp, some gun shots were fired at the police forces from the from the paddy fields at short intervals and the police force return fired in the direction without resulting any causalities.[14] The police force scanned the area through nigh vision binocular. The CRPF men who took part in the action were replaced at night by those kept in reserve at the Pirakata camp while the district riot police have been replaced by the state armed police.[15]

On 19 June 2009, the morning several leaflets in Bengali and Ol Chiki were distributed from the Indian Air Force helicopters by the government to stay away from the Maoists and refrain from becoming human shields.[16][17] The squads had started operation in one of the most infamous place known as Jhitkha Jungle, which is considered to be Maoist's den keeping in front the COBRA force dividing in two different groups of about 200 soldiers.[16] Another squad of police have surrounded the area around Sarenga in adjacent Bankura district to seal the escape routes of the Maoists.[16] A total of 3 companies of Border Security Force (BSF)has been deployed in the operation, 3 more companies of BSF has been sent to Lalgarh.[18] This is the first time the BSF has been deployed in anti-Naxal operations.[19] The security forces tried to advance towards Lalgarh from four different ways; from Sarenga in Bankura district, from Goaltore, from Jhargram-Dahijuri route and the mainly through Midnapur- Pirakata route.[20] The helicopters were used during the day mainly over the Lalgarh - Dharampur area for air survellience.[18] The police faced small resistance from the villagers. However, they were confronted by the Maoists who gun fired at several places including, Pirrakhuli, Pinbani and between Pirakata and Bhimpur.[18] Police were also forced to stop at various places due to suspect of landmine on the road or as the bridges were destroyed.[20] The police coming from the Sarenga route stopped at Kargil More. They also broke a demonstration stage and lathi charged the PCAPA members who were present in the demonstration. At about 20:00 IST, there has been a report of landmine blast near Pirakata Bazaar on SDPO’s car in which two police personnel has been grievously injured. The state government has asked for more 6 companies of CRPF from the Central Government to assist the state police in the operation.

References

  1. ^ Nag Choudhury, Subrata (2009-06-19). "Operation Lalgarh begins, 'human walls' stormed". Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  2. ^ a b c d "Security forces advance into Maoist-held Lalgarh". The Hindu. 2009-06-18. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  3. ^ The Telegraph, 19 November 2008
  4. ^ NDTV, 2 November 2008
  5. ^ The Telegraph, 7 November 2008
  6. ^ The Telegraph, 13 November 2008,CPI (Maoist) state secretary Kanchan said: “We are with the people of Lalgarh."
  7. ^ "WB governor expresses concern over post-poll violence". Economic Times. 2009-06-9. Retrieved 2009-06-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ Mahato, Sukumar (2009-06-16). "PCPA overruns Lalgarh & Salboni, police pull out". Times of India. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  9. ^ "Trinamool softens police boycott stand in Khejuri". Indian Express. 2009-06-17. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  10. ^ "Tension prevails in Khejuri, cops recover more arms". CNN-IBN. 2009-06-13. Retrieved 2009-06-19. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  11. ^ "Khejuri boycotts police". The Telegraph. 2009-06-13. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  12. ^ "Tribals stop paramilitary from entering Lalgarh, reinforcement rushed". Press Trust of India. 2009-06-15. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  13. ^ "PC asks Bengal govt to reclaim Maoist-hit areas". Deccan Herald. 2009-06-18. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Pronob, Mondal (2009-06-19). "Quick work during day, shots ring out at night". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  15. ^ Basu, Kinsuk (2009-06-19). "ACTION AT LAST". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  16. ^ a b c "COBRA forces begin operation". Press Trust of India. 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  17. ^ . Times of India. 2009-06-19 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/IAF-choppers-drop-leaflets-over-Lalgarh/articleshow/4675573.cms. Retrieved 2009-06-19. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. ^ a b c Khan, Noor (2009-06-19). "Gunbattle broke out, CRPF-BSF move towards Lalgarh". Samay Live. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  19. ^ Dholabhai, Nisith (2009-06-19). "Naxalite test for BSF, Centre tightens scan". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  20. ^ a b "Security forces continue march to Lalgarh". Economic Times. 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
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