Security forces enter Lalgarh

Lalgarh (West Bengal) June 20(ANI): Security forces tasted the success in "Operation Lalgarh" by re capturing Lalgarh Police station amidst stiff gun battle and land mine blasts by the Maoist ultras in West Midnapore district of West Bengal.

The security men celebrated as the police station fell in their way, which was out of bound for nearly six months after an attempt on life of the Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and two other union ministers in last November.

DIG of Midnapore Pravin Kumar said it would take another 48 hours to complete the operation, as the entire area has to be searched to make it clear from the Maoist activists.

Around 50 villages in and around Lalgarh were controlled and declared as "free zone" by the Maoist guerrillas.

The paramilitary forces, which started their march from the Bhimpur, base camp entered Lalgarh through the Jhitkar forests, which was believed to be the stronghold of red brigade.

According to the Superintendet of Police Humanyun Kabir, security men came under heavy firing from Maoists at the between Pingboni-Sarenga, the forces were obstructed by a human wall created by women in Pingboni.

Men from CRPF, BSF, State Armed Police, Eastern Frontier Rifles and the Kolkata Police besides the elite anti naxal force COBRA were involved in the operation.

Ousting the Naxals from the area was not an easy task for the forces as Maoists blocked roads and using land mines blew up the bridges.

In an immediate reaction Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said he will give a serious thought to ban the Maoist organisations from his state. (ANI)