Centre alerts states ahead of Naxal bandh, says Lalgarh tense

The Centre today described the situation in Lalgarh area of West Bengal as “sensitive and tense” and warned of possible “demonstrative acts of violence” by Naxals during the 48-hour strike called by them from tomorrow in five states.

The Centre on Sunday described the situation in Lalgarh area of West Bengal as “sensitive and tense” and warned of possible “demonstrative acts of violence” by Naxals during the 48-hour strike called by them from Monday in five states.

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Union Home Minister P Chidambaram issued a statement asking politicians, people and Non-Governmental Organisations to remain away from conflict area and said “the situation in Lalgarh is sensitive and continues to be tense besides CPI (Maoist) call for a bandh tomorrow.”

“Security forces must carry on their work without distraction. Hence, I appeal to all citizens, especially political leaders, NGOs and others not to go to the conflict area,” he said.

Union Home Ministry also issued an alert to Naxal-hit states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal based on intelligence inputs.

The inputs suggested that the “CPI (Maoist) may indulge in demonstrative acts of violence by targeting security forces and economic infrastructure such as trains, buses, railway and bus stations and other places where people are likely to gather in significant numbers.”