Naxal situation in Lalgarh still sensitive: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI: The situation in West Bengal's Lalgarh area, where security forces are fighting to clear a Maoist siege, is "sensitive" and "tense", home minister P Chidambaram said on Sunday while asking political leaders to avoid going to the conflict zones.

"The situation in Lalgarh is sensitive and continues to be tense," he said while also making a reference to a call for a two-day bandh from Monday given by the CPI-Maoist in five naxal-affected states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal..

"I appeal to all citizens especially political leaders, NGOs and others not to go to the conflict areas," he said in a statement here.

The home minister said the security forces must carry out their work without "distraction".

The security forces, which have reclaimed control of key Lalgarh police station area, were on Sunday pushing deeper into the region to break the Maoist siege of 17 villages considered to be strongholds of the ultras and tribals backed by them.

Meanwhile, in view of the two-day bandh call given by the CPI-Maoist, the Centre has asked five Naxal-hit states to remain alert against possible "demonstrative acts of violence" by left-wing extremists.

The alert was issued by the Union Home Ministry on the basis of intelligence inputs.