Bengal CM has no Mamata for armed Maoists
The Manmohan Singh government has agreed to retain the 17 companies of central forces in the state for joint anti-Maoist operations along with the West Bengal police.
By ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: In a move that could irk Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, the Centre has accepted West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee���s prescription for dealing with Maoist violence in the state. The Manmohan Singh government has agreed to retain the 17 companies of central forces in the state for joint anti-Maoist operations along with the West Bengal police.
The chief minister had made the recommendation in his meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday as well as home minister P Chidambaram and finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday. ���I have told the Centre that at least the existing forces should not be withdrawn,��� Mr Bhattacharjee said at a press conference here.
He also sought simultaneous action in Jharkhand to help in operations against Maoists in areas like West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura. ���Without simultaneous operations in Jharkhand, it will be difficult for the police to hold on to the gains,��� he said. Security forces are beginning operations in parts bordering Jharkhand, where Maoist infrastructure, training camps and strongholds are located.
The state government is in sync with the Centre���s stand that talks can be held with Maoists only if they lay down arms. Maoists in the state have said they are prepared for talks but have laid down conditions. Senior Maoist leader Chhatradhar Mahato was arrested last month from Pirka region near Lalgarh village in West Bengal.
The chief minister said 12 police stations in West Bengal were affected by Maoist violence. ���We have achieved some gains in the last few months... We are now dominating areas of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura. By dominating, we mean that the police is functioning normally, the administration is functioning almost as usual. But there are sporadic incidents,��� Mr Bhattacharjee said.
He said earlier the Left Front had fought the Maoists politically and ideologically, but it was different now. ���Now it is a new phenomenon. We can���t be blamed for the havoc created by the Maoists in Chhattisgarh,��� he said. He described them as a group of ���misguided people trying to use poverty. There is no ideology and practically no programme���.
The Cabinet Committee on Security last week endorsed a new plan for coordinated action to fight Maoist violence in affected areas along with development activities.
The chief minister had made the recommendation in his meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday as well as home minister P Chidambaram and finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday. ���I have told the Centre that at least the existing forces should not be withdrawn,��� Mr Bhattacharjee said at a press conference here.
He also sought simultaneous action in Jharkhand to help in operations against Maoists in areas like West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura. ���Without simultaneous operations in Jharkhand, it will be difficult for the police to hold on to the gains,��� he said. Security forces are beginning operations in parts bordering Jharkhand, where Maoist infrastructure, training camps and strongholds are located.
The state government is in sync with the Centre���s stand that talks can be held with Maoists only if they lay down arms. Maoists in the state have said they are prepared for talks but have laid down conditions. Senior Maoist leader Chhatradhar Mahato was arrested last month from Pirka region near Lalgarh village in West Bengal.
The chief minister said 12 police stations in West Bengal were affected by Maoist violence. ���We have achieved some gains in the last few months... We are now dominating areas of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura. By dominating, we mean that the police is functioning normally, the administration is functioning almost as usual. But there are sporadic incidents,��� Mr Bhattacharjee said.
He said earlier the Left Front had fought the Maoists politically and ideologically, but it was different now. ���Now it is a new phenomenon. We can���t be blamed for the havoc created by the Maoists in Chhattisgarh,��� he said. He described them as a group of ���misguided people trying to use poverty. There is no ideology and practically no programme���.
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The Cabinet Committee on Security last week endorsed a new plan for coordinated action to fight Maoist violence in affected areas along with development activities.
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