Lalgarh blockade over at last

The siege of Lalgarh, which had begun on November 5 and had crippled life there, has finally been lifted.

Tribals now say they will push for development in the region

The siege of Lalgarh, which had begun on November 5 and had crippled life there, has finally been lifted.

The announcement was made on Sunday evening by Chhatradhar Mahato, leader of 8220;Lalgarh Police Santrash Virodhi Committee8221;, after a meeting at Lalgarh police station with the Additional District Magistrate and Assistant Superintendent of Police of West Midnapore district.

8220;We decided to lift the blockade following the authorities8217; promise of meeting our demands,8221; Mahato told Indian Express on phone. 8220;In fact, the day before yesterday we threatened to stage a railway blockade and I believe that frightened the administration. We hope this will bring normalcy and peace in this area,8221; he said.

The demands include that the police officers apologise to the people of Lalgarh for the atrocities following Salboni attack on November 2.

Last week, the chief minister himself had expressed his grief in the assembly over the manhandling of four tribal women in Lalgarh.

Mahato said their struggle for economic development of the area would continue.

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So far, the committee had demanded that the administration will have to meet them at a place selected by them 8212; a demand the administration had rejected. The committee, finally, had to give in and the meeting took place at Lalgarh police station.

The CPM had brought in its own tribal leaders from Keshpur and a meeting of the district CPM leadership took place in Keshpur.

8220;The tribal leaders supporting us and their followers will help explain the government8217;s perspective to the agitating tribals,8221; said Imtiaz Ali, district committee member of the party. There are 48 tribal villages in Keshpur and the area has seen rapid development. 8220;The state government is trying to develop Lalgarh and its surrounding areas and the model of Keshpur should be showcased,8221; Ali said.

On Sunday, the CPM held a rally in Keshpur, where tribals participated in large numbers. In Moupal and Changsol areas of Lalgarh, separate rallies were held. The party has also formed a committee iquest; the 8220;Tribal and non-tribal Peace Committee8221; 8212; to combat the agitating tribals.