Lalgarh: Why hasn't the Bengal government banned the Maoists responsible for the siege in Lalgarh? That was a point raised by Home Minister Chidambaram at a press conference in Delhi where he categorically denied allegations that the Congress and its ally, the Trinamul were actually supporting Maoist insurgents in Lalgarh.
Making it clear that Maoists in Lalgarh could not be permitted to have a liberated zone, Home Minister Chidambaran said that the idea of security forces in the region was not to kill protestors but to restore order and police stations which had been damaged.
At the same time, on the ground, the CoBRA force trained in anti-Maoist operations have now joined in the battle to reclaim Lalgarh.
Heavily armed police and para military forces are battling to push their way into Lalgarh. They plan to break the Maoist siege of the area through a three pronged attack.
But the Maoists have destroyed a bridge on the path of the advancing forces. They are using women and children as human shields, something that they are not known to do.
Police sources say government orders are strictly to avoid firing as far as possible. The government does not want a Nandigram repeat.
PTI adds: Nearly 120 personnel of the newly formed specialised anti-Naxal force -- CoBRA -- currently on standby in Lalgarh area of West Bengal, will move in for a final assault only after evacuation of villagers, Home Ministry sources said.
The sources said importance was given to dispersing the human shield comprising women and children before the elite commando team moved in.
"CoBRA is meant for resolute action. Once state police and paramilitary personnel clear the village of innocent men, women and children, the specialised team will move in to take on the heavily armed Naxals," the sources said.
They said the CoBRA personnel were airlifted from Orissa only after specific inputs were received suggesting that senior Naxal operatives, including Koteshwar Rao, are present in the area after crossing over from neighbouring Orissa and Jharkhand.
They said Orissa and Jharkhand police have been asked to keep a strict vigil in the border areas as they felt that top Naxal leaders would try to move out once the force advanced further.