As Maoist ultras continued with their killing spree in Jhargram sub-division of West Midnapore district, four more bodies were recovered from a forest near Goaltore village. Meanwhile, central and state forces began their march to Lalgarh early in the morning today after dithering for several days, during which they faced both armed and unarmed resistance.
Police said the bodies of Dubraj Soren (62), his son Dasarath (32), uncle Chaitanya Soren (65) and CPI(M) Pindboni local committee secretary Badal Ahil (55) were recovered from the forest. All four were reported to have been kidnapped by a large Maoist squad on Wednesday morning.
Relatives told police that a 50-member Maoist squad had come to the village at around 2 am. Ahil was alerted by one of his two security guards and managed to escape through a back door, but was chased and caught by the Maoists. Meanwhile, squad members overheard Soren calling up the police and rounded up the male family members present in the house. The squad then disappeared into the forest.
On Thursday, villagers entered the forest and found four graves. Police recovered the bodies which were then sent for post-mortem.
Even as the police recovered the bodies in Goaltore, a combined force of CRPF, RAF, and 8th Battalion West Bengal Armed Police embarked on their bid to retake control of the area from Pirakata police outpost. At around 4 pm, the combined force began proceeding towards Maledah along one of the approaches to Lalgarh from Salboni side.
At the starting point, local tribals under the PCPA banner refused to heed the executive magistrate?s order to clear the area, following which security forces lobbed tear gas shells and resorted to lathi charge. At Maledah, a contingent of WBAP went berserk and ransacked
the village, pulling out residents and beating them up. Household articles and property were also damaged by the rampaging policemen.
At Piarkhuli, the forces faced armed resistance for the first time when PCPA supporters and Maoists opened fire from a building. The forces immediately took position in the paddy fields and returned fire and lobbed tear gas shells. A CRPF column then moved in and began combing operations. The operation was halted at Piarkhuli at 6.30 pm. Till late evening, security forces were still undecided on whether or not to move ahead.
Maoist leader ?Kishanji? told the media: ?Let the forces move in, they don?t know what is waiting for them?.
PCPA leader Chhatradhar Mahato said: ?Our Committee was new in Maledah so they couldn?t put up proper resistance. Let the forces move closer to Lalgarh. They will realise the power of the Committee. There is no question of retreat for us.?