Thaindian News

Kolkata, Jan 13 (IANS) One man was arrested Thursday for his alleged involvement in the Jan 7 Lalgarh carnage in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district that claimed seven lives, police said.”Ajit Mahato of Beltikuri was arrested in connection with the case. He is a noted miscreant and a country-made gun was also recovered from him,” district Superintendent of Police Manoj Verma said at a media conference at his office in Midnapore town, around 125 km west from here.

“Further investigations will reveal whether Ajit was involved in the crime or not. We are also looking into the matter of arresting the main accused, whose names have been mentioned in the first information report (FIR),” said the district police chief.

However, locals alleged that Mahato was an active supporter of Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).

Earlier, three people, including local CPI-M leader Subhendhu Mondal, were arrested by the police. Later, one was released after the police found he was not guilty.

Subhendhu is being interrogated by the state police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Verma also said a joint forces camp will be set up at Netai village, where the tragedy occurred.

Seven people were shot dead and at least 20 people wounded in clashes triggered by assailants allegedly backed by the ruling Marxists in Netai near Lalgarh.

Verma refused to comment whether he had any information about the presence of armed CPI-M camps in the district.