There was tension in the Salboni-Lalgarh area after villagers spotted the body of a woman in Belpahari forests on Saturday afternoon. Police are yet to reach the spot and recover it when reports last came in. “I have heard that a body was found in Belpahari. But I am yet to receive the details. We have asked the police to visit the spot,” said Inspector General of Police (Law&Order) Raj Kanojia. A police party is being dispatched to the area to retrieve the body. The body was spotted at Laboner forest near Chowkisol. Sources said the body had bullet wounds. In another development, after enforcing a blockade in the area for one and a half months, tribals have allowed senior police officers to visit the villages in Lalgarh. Deputy Superintendent of Police (Operations) Arnab Ghosh and Jhargram Sub Divisional Officer Tanmoy Chakraborty visited Katapahari, Dalilpur, Shishua, Barapelia and Chotopelia, all under the Lalgarh police station area, on Saturday. The officers interacted with villagers and assured them of all possible support.“We spoke to the villagers, who expressed their grievances. They said they do not have drinking water and job opportunities are lacking in the area,” said Chakraborty. He added: “We assured them that the state government has initiated various development works in the area and work for 100 hundred days in a year will be guaranteed to them.” R D Meena, a secretary in the backward class welfare department, will visit Lalgarh on December 15. “The state government has already promised the tribals that an inquiry will be undertaken into alleged atrocities committed by the police. The secretary will visit here to talk to the villagers,” said West Midnapore District Magistrate Narayan Swarup Nigam.
