Deadline to Maoists ends tomorrow, security strenthened

Security has been heightened across Junglemahal with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's seven-day deadline to Maoists for laying zdown arms coming to an end tomorrow and the ultras calling a 24-hour bandh in defiance.

Joint forces intensified patrol with some entering on motorcycles in interior areas in West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts, the forested areas of which are collectively known as 'Junglemahal', police said.

Maoist posters have appeared at Lodhasuli market, Lalgarh and Belpahari in West Midnapore district calling for isolating the anti-people Trinamool Congress, its boycott and defeat.

In some posters, the Maoists decried the recent suspension of some Indian Reserve Battalion personnel for going on hunger-strike in their camps in Junglemahal against prolonged posting in hazardous areas and the alleged apathy of superiors.

The posters also protested the rape of a housewife allegedly by the joint forces.

Trinamool Congress MP Subhendu Adhikary said the posters were a deperate attempt by the Maoists, who were isolated from the people.

PHED Minister and Trinamool leader Subrata Mukherjee said in Kolkata that such posters would hinder the development process and resoration of peace in Junglemahal by the state government.