A month after the high-profile march to Lalgarh in West Bengal, security forces are facing a two-pronged attack - from school students and a section of the CPM.
Students are angry, as their studies have been disrupted because security forces have set up camp at school buildings in the area and the CPM feels security forces are not doing enough. Ten party workers have been killed by Maoists after Operation Lalgarh began.
Students of Gohomidanga High School protested the takeover of their school by security forces since July 1 after they marched into this Maoist-affected area. The students want the forces out so that classes can be resumed.
"Why will they take over the school? Who will make up for the loss that these students suffer? Let them go anywhere they like. But we want our school back," said Nemai Chandra Patra, teacher in-charge, Gohomidanga High School.
There are 11 schools in all in the Lalgarh area that have been taken over by the security forces. And there is resentment brewing in all these 11 places against the suspension of normal school proceedings.
The Home Secretary has promised that troops will move out of at least four schools by month end. The other seven will be vacated by and by.
Students are not the only ones complaining. The Left Front has also expressed reservations about the security forces effectiveness. Maoists have killed 10 party workers since operations began mid-June.
"The joint operation is on but till now no miscreant has been caught. The forces need to be more proactive," said Satyen Maiti, CPM leader, West Midnapore district.
However, West Bengal Police chief Bhupinder Singh says a strategy is in place to tackle the Maoist menace, but advocates patience.
"There will always be soft targets. The only way to ensure that these things don't take place is to drive away the Maoists who are killing them or apprehend them. It's not something that will happen in a jiffy. It takes time, a lot of effort, perseverance and we have to be patient," said DGP Bhupinder Singh.
On the ground, though, patience is running thin. There are almost 50 companies of security forces in Lalgarh. A rough count of Maoists is around 400. The minority, at the moment, seems to have the upper hand.
