Final assault in Lalgarh faces demonstrations against operations

New Delhi, June 30 (ANI): Police here on Tuesday detained several protestors demonstrating against the paramilitary forces' operations against Maoists in West Bengal.

Activists of the Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF) and the Naujawan Bharat Sabha (NBS) held banners, placards and raised slogans against the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Government of West Bengal for deployment of security personnel against the Maoists.

Protesters demanded immediate withdrawal of the Border Security Force (BSF), the Assam Rifles, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Commando Battalion for Retaliate Action (COBRA) and other elite paramilitary forces along with the West Bengal police from Lalgarh town in West Midnapore district, which was recently captured by the Maoist rebels.

"We oppose the state terror that is going on in Lalgarh and atrocities are being done on tribals. Lalgarh's cause is a public issue. This protest will continue and no state terror can stop it," said an unidentified protester.

Protesters also demanded that alleged harassment of women and children in Lalgarh should immediately be stopped.

Paramilitary forces began their final assault on a Maoist stronghold, Katapahari region in West Bengal on Monday.

Earlier this week, the Central Government banned and formally labelled the Maoist insurgents as a terrorist group, hoping it would give security forces more enforcement powers after the rebels briefly created a "liberated zone" in West Bengal.

The move allows authorities to arrest members of the Maoist party even if they have not been involved in rebel violence. (ANI)