Central forces begin operation against Maoists in Lalgarh

September 24th, 2009 LALGARH - Two local leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) were killed by suspected Maoists near Lalgarh. According to police, Maoists abducted Nemai Bishayi and Samir Singha Mahapatra late last night from a party meeting in Harimara village.

August 21st, 2009 LALGARH - A landmine blast and road blockades marked third day of shutdown call by Maoists in West Bengal. Maoists gave an indefinite shutdown call on Tuesday in West Medinipur, Bankura and Purulia districts of the state, demanding withdrawal of security forces from Lalgarh and protesting alleged police excesses on villagers in tribal dominated areas.

August 17th, 2009 LALGARH - The joint security forces and suspected Maoist rebels Monday clashed near Gohomidanga area in West Bengal's trouble-torn Lalgarh over a proposed meeting organised by a tribal body protesting police excesses in the region. According to police sources, the Maoists opened fire at the central paramilitary force troopers and the police personnel when they tried to stop people from heading towards Gohomidanga locality to attend a gathering called by the People's Committee against Police Atrocity (PCAPA) leader Chattrodhar Mahato.

July 31st, 2009 LALGARH - Maoists provoked Lalgarh villagers to protest against the deployment of security forces since they reclaimed the Maoist held 'liberated zone.' The Maoists were evicted from the trouble-torn Lalgarh region at June 20 after an almost week-long joint operation by the State and Centre's elite security forces. But the villagers have continued protests since, demanding the security forces to retreat to normal days, a move which officials apprehend is a ploy to give the Maoists a foothold again.

June 28th, 2009 LALGARH - Security forces on Sunday arrested two suspected Maoists and defused seven landmines from Lalgarh, while flushing out the Maoists hiding around the troubled area of West Bengal's West Midnapore. Five landmines were recovered from Binpur, while two more were found near Kargil junction at Bankura district, said Raj Kanojia, Inspector General of Police.

June 27th, 2009 KOLKATA - Security forces on Saturday resumed their offensive against Maoists in West Bengal's Lalgarh District, moving from Kadashol village into neighboring forests to flush out the rebels hiding there. Reports suggested that the Maoists might have fled to Ramgarh, which is located around 12 kilometers from Kadashol.

June 26th, 2009 LALGARH J - The security forces today started fresh offensive operation to flush out the Maoist activists from the trouble hit Lalgarh in West Midnapore District of West Bengal. The joint operation by the paramilitary forces and the West Bengal State Police against the Maoists in Lalgarh area has entered the ninth day.

June 26th, 2009 LALGARH - Security forces on Friday reclaimed control over Kadasole village from Maoists, located north of Lalgarh in West Midinapore district, during phase II of ongoing operations against the naxals who set off two landmine blasts. Led by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the troops including jungle warfare expert and personnel of the Indian Reserve Battalion and State Armed Police, who were helped by a helicopter, exchanged fire for 45 minutes with the Maoists who later fled the village, said a senior CRPF official.

June 25th, 2009 LALGARH/KOLKATA - While security forces are carrying out operation in the Maoist infested area Lalgarh in West Bengal to free it from criminals' grip, local students lament that their studies are getting affected. A section of students complains that studies are getting affected due to the ongoing operation by the security forces in the jungles of Lalgarh region in Medinipur district of West Bengal.

June 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P. Chidambaram here to discuss Lalgarh issue today.

June 19th, 2009 LALGARH - The West Bengal Police supported by Central Paramilitary forces launched "operation Lalgarh" to clear the areas in and around Lalgarh from Maoist captivity in West Midnapore district. The security forces are facing tough time in clearing the human shields, consisting of women and children put up by ultras on the way leading to Lalgarh.

June 19th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram today asked the Maoists to lay down arms and come forward for negotiations.

June 19th, 2009 PIRAKATA - Fear stalks the villagers trapped in the exchange of fire between the security forces and the Maoist rebels who declared Lalgarh region of West Bengal 'liberated zone'. The gun battle between the paramilitary troops and the Maoists caused unease amongst the residents of Pirakata village, 18 kilometres from Lalgarh, and from where the security personnel launched their operation against the rebels.

June 19th, 2009 NEW DELHI - 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.

June 17th, 2009 Lalgarh (West Bengal) (ANI): The Maoist have blocked access to Lalgarh in West Bengal putting up a three tier human shield, including women and children to prevent entry of central paramilitary forces, who are planning free the area from them. According to police sources, the Maoists have formed a three-tier human shield with women and children in the vanguard, men behind them and armed naxals at the rearguard.