Lalgarh: Founder member of the CPI ML People’s War District unit Killed in Bengal

Three killed in Lalgarh, Ananya Dutta

KOLKATA: Three persons, including a founder member of the district unit of the erstwhile People’s War Group (PWG), were killed in separate incidents in the areas adjoining Lalgarh in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district since Saturday night.

Asit Sarkar, who became a senior district leader of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) after the outfit was formed following the merger of the PWG with the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) in September 2004, was shot dead by unidentified persons at Garbeta, District Superintendent of Police Manoj Verma told The Hindu over telephone. Mr. Sarkar had been earlier arrested in 2004, but was later released.

Sarkar’s family accused CPM for his murder at Sandhipur in Garbeta. Asit’s brother Somenath alleged, “Two prominent CPM leaders had threatened my brother and ordered him to stay politically neutral. But Asit was involved in sourcing relief for the homeless of Krishnapur in Chandrakona. After he was shot dead, the criminals moved through the village openly, brandishing firearms.”

Asit’s son-in-law Goutam Pal claimed, “CPM-backed goons thought he was a Maoist informer. We were even threatened when were waiting to take the body back from Midnapore Medical College Hospital. Finally, police escorted us away from the spot.” CPM leaders, however, have denied all charges.

CPI(M) activists have so far set up six training camps with sophisticated arms for dealing with the Maoist attacks in their areas. ”We have no faith in the combined forces as at least 25 comrades have been killed in Maoist attacks since the combined forces reached Jungle Mahal a couple of months back,” a CPI(M) leader said.
Meanwhile, the combined forces arrested two hardcore Maoists from Baghghora forest under Midnapore Sadar Kotwali police station following a night-long gunbattle between the security personnel and the ultras in the area last night, the SP said.
There was huge resistance by the local people of Baghghora who tried to prevent the combined forces from reaching the district headquarters. Roads were dug up and trees felled on the road towards Midnapore, not allowing the security forces to arrest Maoists.
A big contingent of the police force has been sent to the area, the SP said.

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