Bengal: MCC explodes landmine in Midnapore

Midnapore, Jul 29: Maoist Communist Party (MCC) ultras exploded a landmine in the dense forests of Nekrachera in Belpahari village here today.

Superintendent of Police of West Midnapore R Rajeshanan said no casualties were reported adding that it was part of the MCC's observation of ''Martyrs' Week'' from July 28 to August 3.

Sources said the sound of the explosion was heard over a 30 km area around the villages in Kakrajhore.

Earlier, in an all party meeting held on July 26, the local Left Front leaders appealed to the local people to co-operate in thwarting the MCC movement in the area. The leaders slammed the MCC for terrorising the local people.

Later, a circular was issued by the MCC to the leaders, threatening them of dire consequences if they preached against the MCC's philosophy.

Mr Dahar Sen, a district secretariat member, admitted that the CPM leaders in the Nekrachera area were totally demoralised and had gone underground due to the terror created by the MCC recently.

Fourteen CPM workers had been killed by the MCC in the area during the past few years.

Meanwhile, tension prevailed in the area as the MCC, in their recent leaflets, said that they would try to avenge the killing of 12,500 MCC workers through observation of such ''Martyrs' Week''.

UNI