'We were always with people and we'll continue to stand by them. The joint forces are torturing villagers in the name of flushing out the Maoists. The government must stop this joint operation for the sake of people in Lalgarh,' Mahato told reporters.

'We're carrying out our movement democratically. If the state government does not withdraw the central forces, this movement would further spread in other neighbouring districts,' he added.

The state government had launched a massive security operation June 18 to flush out Leftwing rebels who had virtually made areas in and around Lalgarh in the neighbouring West Midnapore district a 'free zone' since November last year.

However, despite the nearly two-month-long security operation, the Maoist activities have been going on unabated, with several CPI-M cadres and tribals - whom the radicals have described as police informers - killed.

Maoists are active in the state's three western districts of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia.