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CM tells Maoists to lay down arms, or ‘Govt knows how to bring peace in a democratic manner’
Finally, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to catch the Red bull by its horns. The cold war between the Trinamool Congress Government and the CPI(Maoists) escalated on Saturday with Banerjee giving a seven-day ultimatum to the ultras to shun violence and come for talks, failing which, she declared, “the Government knows how to bring peace in a democratic manner.”
Refusing to be cowed by Maoists’ strong arm tactics, the Chief Minister gave an “open challenge” to the outlaws — whom she dubbed “supari killers” — to block her developmental initiatives. Be ready “to face the consequence”, she said. In fact, she even dared Maoists, saying: “You want to kill Mamata Banerjee? Tell me where you want to kill me. There will be no policemen with me.”
She was addressing an impressive rally at Jhargram Stadium from where she declared a plethora of projects, including upgradation of a civil hospital to a district hospital, laying foundation of a bridge and 17 girls’ hostels, four mini indoor stadiums, besides giving away land pattas and declaring the issuance of 6.5 lakh new ration cards. Depite a threat issued by Maoists warning people from joining Mamata’s rally, a large crowd mustered strong.
“We know how to honour our word and we have indeed kept it. But you (Maoists) have broken your promises and your supari killers killed our men in the last few months,” the Chief Minister thundered. She reminded there was no operation against Naxals for the past three months “whereas your people have killed and spread terror at will”.
Banerjee’s tough talks come close on the heels of an ultimatum issued by Maoists to people not to join the Jangalmahal-specific police force comprising locals, as mooted by the Chief Minister. In fact, the response against the Government advertisement inviting applications for police jobs has been dismal due to the threat of the Maoists.
Her hardening of stance also comes against the backdrop of some frightening reports from the police brass which reportedly told her how the ultras had taken advantage of the ceasefire to spread their network as far as Chamkaitala bordering Hooghly, Bankura and West Midnapore. Banerjee was also told how hundreds of acres in Jangalmahal had been mined by the Maoists.
“There are some people who fear development and so they are trying to hinder the process of peace because they think that they would certainly lose ground here in Jangalmahal if we are able to develop the area.
We will identify these people and segregate them,” she said. “The one-week ultimatum to shun arm and talk peace is not a hollow call,” she made it clear. The Chief Minister, however, refused to comment on the next course of action if the Maoists did not come and join her for talks.
“We are determined to bring peace in the area through democratic process and no amount of gun and bullet can stop them,” Banerjee said, asking the Maoists to follow in the footsteps of the Darjeeling Hills. “If the Hills can, why can’t Jangalmahal?”
Reiterating that the Government would not pull out Central forces, she said it would rather act tough if the Maoists continued with their acts of bloodshed. “This is my challenge visit to Jangalmahal and I take up this challenge of ushering in a new era of development of peace and the Government knows how to deal with those who would come in the way of peace and democracy.”
As the Railway Minister, Banerjee had questioned the presence of Maoists in Jangalmahal. And as the Chief Minister, she had seldom talked so tough against them. In fact, she had initiated a peace process by setting up a team of civil society led by professor Sujata Bhadra and Chhotan Das as interlocutors, who had been talking with the Maoists on the Government’s behalf.
The Maoists had made known their point to the Government intermediaries earlier when they demanded immediate withdrawal of central forces and release of political prisoners including top jailed Maoist leaders. Incidentally, Banerjee’s former allies like writer Mahasweta Devi in her war against the Left Front, had also a couple of days ago demanded withdrawal of central forces and release of prisoners.
Finally, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to catch the Red bull by its horns. The cold war between the Trinamool Congress Government and the CPI(Maoists) escalated on Saturday with Banerjee giving a seven-day ultimatum to the ultras to shun violence and come for talks, failing which, she declared, “the Government knows how to bring peace in a democratic manner.”
Refusing to be cowed by Maoists’ strong arm tactics, the Chief Minister gave an “open challenge” to the outlaws — whom she dubbed “supari killers” — to block her developmental initiatives. Be ready “to face the consequence”, she said. In fact, she even dared Maoists, saying: “You want to kill Mamata Banerjee? Tell me where you want to kill me. There will be no policemen with me.”
She was addressing an impressive rally at Jhargram Stadium from where she declared a plethora of projects, including upgradation of a civil hospital to a district hospital, laying foundation of a bridge and 17 girls’ hostels, four mini indoor stadiums, besides giving away land pattas and declaring the issuance of 6.5 lakh new ration cards. Depite a threat issued by Maoists warning people from joining Mamata’s rally, a large crowd mustered strong.
“We know how to honour our word and we have indeed kept it. But you (Maoists) have broken your promises and your supari killers killed our men in the last few months,” the Chief Minister thundered. She reminded there was no operation against Naxals for the past three months “whereas your people have killed and spread terror at will”.
Banerjee’s tough talks come close on the heels of an ultimatum issued by Maoists to people not to join the Jangalmahal-specific police force comprising locals, as mooted by the Chief Minister. In fact, the response against the Government advertisement inviting applications for police jobs has been dismal due to the threat of the Maoists.
Her hardening of stance also comes against the backdrop of some frightening reports from the police brass which reportedly told her how the ultras had taken advantage of the ceasefire to spread their network as far as Chamkaitala bordering Hooghly, Bankura and West Midnapore. Banerjee was also told how hundreds of acres in Jangalmahal had been mined by the Maoists.
“There are some people who fear development and so they are trying to hinder the process of peace because they think that they would certainly lose ground here in Jangalmahal if we are able to develop the area.
We will identify these people and segregate them,” she said. “The one-week ultimatum to shun arm and talk peace is not a hollow call,” she made it clear. The Chief Minister, however, refused to comment on the next course of action if the Maoists did not come and join her for talks.
“We are determined to bring peace in the area through democratic process and no amount of gun and bullet can stop them,” Banerjee said, asking the Maoists to follow in the footsteps of the Darjeeling Hills. “If the Hills can, why can’t Jangalmahal?”
Reiterating that the Government would not pull out Central forces, she said it would rather act tough if the Maoists continued with their acts of bloodshed. “This is my challenge visit to Jangalmahal and I take up this challenge of ushering in a new era of development of peace and the Government knows how to deal with those who would come in the way of peace and democracy.”
As the Railway Minister, Banerjee had questioned the presence of Maoists in Jangalmahal. And as the Chief Minister, she had seldom talked so tough against them. In fact, she had initiated a peace process by setting up a team of civil society led by professor Sujata Bhadra and Chhotan Das as interlocutors, who had been talking with the Maoists on the Government’s behalf.
The Maoists had made known their point to the Government intermediaries earlier when they demanded immediate withdrawal of central forces and release of political prisoners including top jailed Maoist leaders. Incidentally, Banerjee’s former allies like writer Mahasweta Devi in her war against the Left Front, had also a couple of days ago demanded withdrawal of central forces and release of prisoners.
