NEW DELHI - Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has cautioned all the politicians from visiting West Bengal’s Lalgarh area, where security forces are fighting to clear a Maoist siege, as it is “sensitive” and “tense”.

“The situation in Lalgarh is sensitive and continues to be tense. I appeal to all citizens especially political leaders, NGOs and others not to go to the conflict areas,” he said while referring to a maoist call for a two-day shutdown from Monday in five naxal-affected states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal.

Chidambaram said the security forces must carry out their work without “distraction”.

On Sunday, personnel of the CRPF, BSF and West Bengal police started moving from Lalgarh to Ramgarh in an operation aimed at sanitising the main road and other connecting routes and wresting control of the 17 villages.

According to sources, the 19-km journey from Lalgarh, which the troops reclaimed on Saturday, is likely to be one of the toughest as the road has been mined.

The strategy of the forces will focus on wresting control of Barapelia, Chotopelia and Dalilpurchak in West Midnapore district where top Maoist leaders were reportedly holed up.

Meanwhile, in view of the two-day bandh call given by the CPI-Maoist, the Centre has asked five Naxal-hit states to remain alert against possible “demonstrative acts of violence” by left-wing extremists. (ANI)