Tribals hoist black flags in Lalgarh

Tribals led by Maoists held protests with black flags at various places in Lalgarh in West Midnapore district on Independence day today inspite of presence of central forces and the police.

Tribals led by Maoists held protests with black flags at various places in Lalgarh in West Midnapore district on Independence day today inspite of presence of central forces and the police.

HT Image

Villagers of Lalgarh, Salbani, Goaltore, Belpahari, Binpur stayed away from Independence Day celebrations and took out processions led by Maoists in various areas with black flags.

Over 5,000 tribals including women, armed with traditional weapons also gathered at Madhupur, a Peoples Committee Against Police Atrocities stronghold, near Salbani and hoisted a black flag, the police said.

Superintendent of Police, West Midnapore, Manoj Verma said the police were inquiring about the hoisiting of black flags.

The West Bengal government has already admitted that the anti-Maoist operations by the central and police forces, launched with much fanfare on June 19 were a failure.

Another phase of the operations, however, would begin shortly, it has been announced.