Suspected Maoist linkman arrested

LALGARH - Security forces Sunday arrested a suspected Maoist linkman from a forest near this troubled area of West Bengal, police said.

Lal Mohan Murmu was picked up from the Jhitka forests, once a den of the leftwing rebels by the central and state security personnel patrolling the area.

The West Bengal government has launched a massive security operation to flush out Maoist ultras from Lalgarh and its surrounding areas in West Midnapore district.

After reclaiming almost the entire stretch held by the rebels since November, the forces are now conducting combing operations in the jungles and villages looking for the leftwing radicals.