Updated on Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 19:38 IST

Lalgarh, June 30: Police personnel engaged in operations in West Midnapore district to reclaim areas from Maoists have complained that they are apparently having to sweat it out more than the central forces.

According to them, the security forces have established bases in school buildings at Lalgarh, Bhimpur, Ramgarh, Kantapahari and Pirakata, while they were spending nights sleeping even on verandahs of BDO offices since operations began on June 19.

Their meals consist of rice, dal and vegetables which they had to eat sitting on roads.

"That is all we are getting to eat, no fish, no meat. Forget about breakfast and tea," a policeman, requesting anonymity, said.

A photographer was told not to click photos of the policemen and women having lunch on the road eating from sal leaves. "Please don't photograph us. What will our family think if they see us like this?"

A mini truck arrives from the base twice a day with lunch and dinner.

When contacted, a senior police officer said, "I know the forces are facing difficulty, but we are consolidating our supply lines after which matters will improve." A junior police officer from Egra in Howrah district, who is among nearly 700 policemen engaged in the operations, said he was not given even a day's notice.

"Forget about us, we can rough it. What about our lady colleagues? They are facing greater difficulty because of absence of proper toilets," he said.

"The central forces are properly supplied since every company has their own cook. They have taken over school buildings for camps where basic amenities are available," a police officer said.

"Our men are sleeping at nights even at petrol pumps and on verandahs of BDO offices. At least then they have a roof over their heads."

Bureau Report