Mamata Banerjee reminds people of violence during Marxist regime

KOLKATA: Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has reminded people of violence and mass-killings that took place in different parts of the state during the 34-year Marxist regime and asked CPM to allow her government to work for development of West Bengal.

Speaking to reporters at the airport before leaving for Siliguri on Monday, the chief minister said, “several people at Nandigram are missing till date and their wives are still carrying vermilion on their foreheads as they believe that their husbands are still alive. Hundreds of people were killed and their bodies were thrown into rivers during the tenure of the CPMled government. People of our state have not forgotten the mass killings at places like Chhoto Angaria, Garbeta, Keshpur, Nandigram and several other places. All these had happened when CPM was in power and the party should keep mum and allow our government to function sincerely for the development of our state.”

The chief minister was reacting to Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s allegation regarding deteriorating law and order situation in the state. Addressing a party gathering on Sunday, Bhattacharjee had said that Trinamool Congress became a party of anti-socials and women were not at all safe in the hands of Mamata Banerjee’s government. The chief minister also gave a clear signal at Siliguri during the day that her government will not allow any separatist forces to create disturbances in the state.

Inaugurating the mini secretariat Uttar Kannya near Siliguri, the chief minister said that no government in West Bengal had thought about bringing development in the north Bengal since independence. I have set up our mini secretariat in Siliguri and will appoint one additional chief secretary to look after the functioning of this region.