Maoists call Bharat bandh on Oct 3

Operation Lalgarh: Mahato arrest

The CPI (Maoist) tonight gave a call for a 24-hour country-wide bandh on October three in protest against the arrest of tribal leader Chhatradhar Mahato, who was spearheading agitations in Lalgarh area.

Terming the manner of the arrest as "unethical", top Maoist leader Kishenji told PTI over phone, "The police disguised as journalists have arrested Chhatradhar and that is not only unethical but it also puts a question mark on the intergrity and honesty of the mediaperson in general."

Kishenji, speaking from an undisclosed location, said, "The incident happened as we have always maintained a very good relation with the media and the police have taken the advantage of our faith."

Earlier Mahato, the leader of People's Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA), was arrested from Pirka near Lalgarh when he was preparing to give an interview to a journalist, who was trailed by the police.