The Centre described the situation in Lalgarh area of West Bengal as sensitive and tense and warned of possible demonstrative acts of violence by Naxals.
The Centre on Sunday described the situation in Lalgarh area of West Bengal as "sensitive and tense" and warned of possible "demonstrative acts of violence" by Naxals during the 48-hour strike called by them from Monday in five states. Union home minister P Chidambaram issued a statement asking politicians, people and Non-Governmental Organisations to remain away from conflict area and said "the situation in Lalgarh is sensitive and continues to be tense besides CPI (Maoist) call for a bandh on Monday."
"Security forces must carry on their work without distraction. Hence, I appeal to all citizens, especially political leaders, NGOs and others not to go to the conflict area," he said. Union home ministry also issued an alert to Naxal-hit states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal based on intelligence inputs. The inputs suggested that the "CPI (Maoist) may indulge in demonstrative acts of violence by targeting security forces and economic infrastructure such as trains, buses, railway and bus stations and other places where people are likely to gather in significant numbers." The inputs have been shared with the states who have been asked to take "precautionary and pre-emptive measures" ahead of the two-day strike call given by CPI (Maoist) on June 22 and 23, in Bihar Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal, additional secretary (Naxal Management) in home ministry DRS Chaudhary said in a statement.
"All other state governments have also been alerted," the statement said. The government has also asked security personnel to remain vigilant against IEDs and landmines which have targeted them earlier. "While every effort will be made to maintain law and order and to ensure security of people, it is requested that people should also remain vigilant and cooperate with the police and other security personnel," it said.
Security personnel have reclaimed control of key Lalgarh police station area in West Midnapore district of West Bengal and are moving ahead to break the Maoist siege of 17 villages considered strongholds of the ultras and tribals backed by them.
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