Fearful villagers of Lalgarh take refuge in relief camps

Pirakata (West Bengal), June 22 (ANI): Over a thousand villagers including women and children have fled their homes and taken refuge in relief camps, as police intensified its assault on Maoist rebels in Lalgarh on Monday.

They have taken shelter at the relief camp at a government school, Pirakata of West Midnapur district which was opened on Sunday by non-government organisations (NGOs).

"Like every one we came here with our family and children. Here at least we are provided with foods. We were not getting food in our village as the shops are closed. We can not buy food," said Barun Das, a refugee.

Another villager said that some people were living in the fields, as their houses were torched by Maoist rebels.

"Some of the villagers fled to their relative's houses and some are living in fields. I can not live there with my 25 days old daughter," said Tuku Rai.

Earlier, Maoists had called for a 48-hour shutdown in five states -West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Orissa and Jharkhand- demanding the clampdown by security forces in Lalgarh be withdrawn.

Police on Saturday had said that they had regained control of Lalgarh, while security forces continued flushing out operations in some adjoining pockets. (ANI)