Hope and food elude new-born

Lalgarh, Jul 3 : 'We have no food. My husband has left the area. I don't know whether she will survive or not,' said the mother of nine-day old Ratri, born amid fanfares of bombs and bullets exchanged during 'Flushout' operation here.

''My daughter was christened Ratri(night) as a symbol of darkness eddying round sorrows and despair. She is not well now,'' said Parvati Kishku today, whose tears have come to terms with life's adversities at Narcha relief camp near here under West Midnapore district, started by the People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) a week ago.

The camp, organised to provide succour the villagers fleeing their residence in the wake of Operation Red Soil, is home to hundreds of women who fast out of compulsion rather than accord.

''We left our homes lest the combined forces arrive. We do not know what to do if they happen to come here,'' Parbati said.

A similar scenario was also perceived in a relief camp organised by the PCPA in Kantapahari Vivekananda Vidyapith where thousands were taking shelter.