Maoists have started losing their sway over the people of Lalgarh and its surrounding areas in the wake of a sustained operation by the joint forces and the arrest of tribal leaders Chhatradhar Mahato and Sukhshanti Baske. According to intelligence reports, the people whose confidence the Maoists had gained by espousing their cause have stopped supplying food and medicine to the extremists, indicating an end to the bonhomie. The reports said that a rift had emerged between members and supporters of the People's Committee against Police Atrocities following the joint forces operation and the arrest of the two tribal leaders. The frontline leaders of the PCPA are increasingly finding it difficult to carry forward their movement due to intensified police operations, the reports said. Intelligence sources said that after the report reached the state police, Director General of Police Bhupinder Singh along with other top officials held a meeting on Saturday to decide the future course of action. Underground Maoist leader Kishenji, however, rubbished the reports, saying they are without basis.