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| Business hit in Lalgarh |
| Amitava Roy/ PTI / Lalgarh (WB) Jun 24, 2009, 12:00 IST |
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Economy has taken a backseat in restive Lalgarh where security forces have launched a crackdown to reclaim territory from Maoist-backed tribals.
Business establishments, shops, small factories, transport services and even Central government programmes like NREGA are not functioning due to the strife between the Maoists and security forces.
Tribals are unable to enter forests to collect kendu leaves which they sell for a living for fear of being rounded up by security forces.
Admitting that restoration of faith among the business community and the villagers was necessary, West Midnapore District Magistrate N S Nigam told PTI that "until they feel they are safe, it is difficult to resume normal business".
"We are beginning the process of confidence building measures like providing relief to the people," he said.
Banks, petrol pumps and public transport system have also been affected for the last eight months due to frequent bandhs in the area.
The Maoists and PCPA activists after taking control of Lalgarh and adjoining villages, had initiated some parallel job schemes allegedly funded by extortion money.
This had benefited the people in the jungles and adjoining villages for sometime through work like constructing 'kutcha' road, digging ponds and boring tubewells.
However, after a few months this work also stopped, leaving the villagers high and dry as they were unable to take the benefit of any government scheme as the administration has been non existent here in the vast area since November.
The only government department that could work without much hindrance during this last eight month's unrest was the forest department.
DFO of this range Ashish Samanta said, "We had provided work to the villagers for plantation till a week before the police entered Lalgarh this month."
He also said that Rs 2 crore was spent on plantation and other activities.
"We are suffering due to the numerous bandhs called by PCPA and the Maoists ... There have been at least 50 to 60 bandhs this year," a resident of Moupal said on condition of anonymity.
"We had hoped that after the security forces arrive, our lives would get better, but things have turned worse and we are facing more harassment," he said.
Alok Malo, a daily labourer, says he is without work for the last several days and has taken shelter in a relief camp where he and his family are getting food.
Krishna Prasad Mahato of Khaerdanga is worried as to how he will feed his family of four as he is unable to work in his field.
Sukul Hembram, whose husband abandoned her years ago, has not been able to go to the forests to gather kendu leaves. She has also turned up at a relief camp to feed her two children. Sanma Kisku of Konabali, Sukhada Mahato of Koima, all have the same story to tell of their lost livelihood.
Lalgarh's Gautam Roy, who married just a week ago, says his building material and contract work business has been hit for months. "I served guests just dal, rice and vegetables at the wedding instead of fish and meat as I do not have much savings left."
Swapan Das, a shop owner at Lalgarh just a hundred yards from the police station which was under siege for the last eight months, said he has been unable to open his shop since November.
The district magistrate said he has talked to the BDOs in the area to restart the NREGA scheme to provide work to the labourers as also other central projects.
"I have also talked to the bus owners association to start services after things improve a bit so that people in the affected areas can travel to their work places," he said.
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