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13th day of offensive sees combing operation

LALGARH: Much of the 13th day of the offensive by paramilitary forces West Bengal police in Lalgarh and nearby areas was spent on combing operations against Maoists and activists of the Maoist-backed Police Santrash Birodhi Janashadharaner Committee (PSBJC).

There was no major movement of the forces from any of the three base camps — Lalgarh, Ramgarh and Kantapahari — that have been reclaimed from Maoists.

Security forces patrolled the area as part of confidence-building measures taken by the authorities.

The forces detected two improvised explosive devices, one near the road that links Goaltore (20 km from Lalgarh) with Chandrakona, and the other near the Sijua forest. Both were defused by the bomb detection squad of the Criminal Investigation Department.

Top police and administrative officials held meetings at the Lalgarh police station to decide on the next course of action.

With more companies of central forces expected to reach Lalgarh in a couple of days, a fresh offensive is expected to be launched shortly.

A senior police officer told The Hindu that there was a possibility of launching a drive to reclaim Dharampur, 12 km from Lalgarh, from Maoists.

With development being the top priority on the mind of the administration now, a team of eight secretaries of several departments of the State government are scheduled to arrive here on Wednesday.

The district administration opened a relief distribution centre at Kantapahari, and six kg of rice a person was distributed.

Thousands of people gathered at the Binpur I Block Development Office at Lalgarh since 6 a.m. to collect relief supplies.

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13th day of offensive sees combing operation

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