West Midnapore, Mar 12(ANI): Villagers in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district fled their homes in fear as the authorities in the area prepared to launch an anti-Maoist operation.

About 35 villages falling under the jurisdiction of Belpahari police station wore a deserted look as villagers escaped to safer places with their belongings, believing that once the operation gets underway, it would be impossible to carry on with their normal lives.

“We have animals and belongings at our homes but we have to escape for fear of our lives. Police come every time and no boys and girls escaped from here,” said Sunita Sabar, a villager.

Earlier, Surajit Kar Purakayastha, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) of West Bengal had said that the first phase of the operation has been successful in destroying several rebel camps and securing the confidence of the villagers.

West Bengal and Jharkhand has jointly intensified an ongoing operation to tackle the Maoist menace. (ANI)