Maoists today exploded a powerful landmine, targeting CRPF personnel, in West Midnapore district on the eve of Home Minister P Chidamabaram’s visit to Lalgarh, amid a bandh call by a Naxal-backed tribal group.
The blast took place when a vehicle carrying 12 CRPF personel to Lalgarh from Dharampur crossed the area at Chotobrindabonpur village, Superintendent of Police Manoj Verma told reporters.
Though earlier reports had said a securityman was injured, Verma said there was no injury.
He said 80 metres of fuse wire leading to Maoist-infested Belatikri village was seized.
The explosion led to a crater being formed on the Dharampur-Lalgarh main road.
Security forces had stepped up vigil at Lalgarh and Midnapore town ahead of Chidamabaram’s visit.
The People’s Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) leader Asit Mahato, meanwhile, called for a 24-hour bandh tomorrow in West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts to protest the home minister’s visit.
He also announced an indefinite blockade in the three districts from Monday to protest the continuing anti-Maoist operations.
Asked about the whereabouts of top Maoist leader Kishenji, Verma said: “We have some information, but we cannot divulge it to the media.” He said the security forces found a Maoist training camp, from where three ultras identified as Lakhi Mahao, Bablu Murmu and Sitaram Murmu were arrested, during raids on April 1 near Jhargram and Bhalukbasa jungles.
Six rifles, 24 rounds of ammunition, one landmine, explosives and gunpowder, besides flashguns were also seized, Verma said, adding that it was believed that 15 Maoists had been in the camp.
Raids on April 2 at Tentuldanga and Keshia led to the discovery of another Maoist training camp from where two people were arrested.
Two rifles, some ammunition, 2 landmines and explosives were also seized from the camp, he said.
