Govt. says no to sending armed forces to fight Maoists in Lalgarh

New Delhi, June 19 (ANI): The Government on Friday ruled out the possibility of sending armed forces to fight Maoists in the wake of violence in Lalgarh area in West Bengal.

Addressing an Army function in the national capital, Defense Minister A. K. Antony said that the armed forces could give only logistic support to the State police and paramilitary forces, who were already engaged in tackling the Naxals menace.

"Armed forces can give only logistic support. There is no idea to directly involve armed forces to fight Maoists," Antony said.

Describing the Maoist violence as a matter of "serious concern to the entire nation," Antony said, "I feel the state police and paramilitary forces will be able to meet the challenge. They have to."

Meanwhile, in the morning, after foiling resistance by Maoist-backed tribals, security forces on Friday resumed their push cautiously towards Lalgarh, a stronghold of the Maoists, sweeping the roads for mines as the agitators blew up a bridge to stall their movement.

The battle to recapture Lalgarh from Maoists began on Thursday as the police and central forces stormed the area smashing a human shield of tribal agitators with a barrage of teargas shells and lathi-charges. (ANI)