What Is Happening in Lalgarh?

The tribal agitation in Lalgarh, situated in West Midnapore district of West Bengal, was called off on 7 November 2008, a month after it was launched. The Committee against Police Atrocities decided to lift the blockade and announced that they would accompany district officials when they go to remove the trees from the roads. The decision was taken after the state administration formally agreed to their major demands.

The police atrocities on tribal women in Chhotopelia village as a sequel to the mine explosion in Salboni on the day of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya’s visit to the area, acted as a catalyst to the tribal revolt in Lalgarh. The Committee against Police Atrocities, which was formed to give leadership to the movement, formulated a 13-point charter of demands. The last point mentioned in the list was that if the CPI(M) cadres attack the tribal and peaceful people, the administration will be responsible and will have to pay the price.