Midnapore (WB): There was no possibility of
holding talks with Maoists or tribal group PCPA, West Bengal
Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee said on Sunday even as he
maintained that law and order in Naxal-infested Lalgarh and
adjacent areas has improved but more work needs to be done.
Bhattacharjee, who met top civil and police officials of
Naxal-hit West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts, also
alleged that opposition Trinamool Congress and some NGOs were
hand-in-glove with the Maoists and said it was "pathetic" that
a major party was having "links" with a banned group.
"There is no possibility of speaking with the Maoists or
the PCPA. They must lay down their arms and abjure violence
and that is the primary condition set by the Centre," he told
reporters when asked if the government will talk to Naxalites.
To a question whether West Bengal is part of any joint
anti-Maoist operation, Bhattacharjee, who was winding up his
two-day visit to West Midnapore, said, "the operation does not
cover West Bengal. It is for the other three states. We can
handle the problem all by ourselves.
"We had asked for additional forces and six companies
have been sent which is enough to control the Maoists."
Bhattacharjee said the law and order situation at Lalgarh
and its adjacent areas has improved considerably, but keeping
in view the recent Maoist attacks, security has been
strengthened.
"After reviewing the situation in Jhargram sub-division,
we have decided to increase the number of policemen in police
stations, build boundary walls, keep sandbags and provide more
weapons including sophisticated arms to combat the Maoists and
PCPA activists," Bhattacharjee said.
When it was pointed out that despite the existence of
joint forces, killings are taking place at Lalgarh and nearby
areas, he said, "A year back the police was not able to enter
the area and the entire area was taken over by the Maoists and
the PCPA. It is true we are not able to control the whole
area, but our forces have gained control over strategic
points, major roads and villages."
The Chief Minister, who earlier held a meeting with Chief
Secretary A M Chakraborty, DGP Bhupinder Singh and DMs and
SPs of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia, said, "We are now
trying to enter the jungles and deep into villages of the area
and consequently more areas will fall under our control."
He alleged that there was proof of Trinamool and some
NGOs being hand-in-glove with the Maoists and this was making
the job of the joint forces difficult. "A major political
party having links with a banned organisation -- nothing can
be more pathetic."
Asked to say categorically if TC chief Mamata Banerjee
has links with the ultra-left organisation, Bhattacharjee
said, "I cannot name any person. I can only say about the
party and the rest, you should understand."
Happy with development at Lalgarh
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said he was happy with development
work undertaken in the Maoist prone Lalgarh area, but felt the
pace should be accelerated.
Commenting on allegations that despite promises made by
secretaries after the joint operation started in June this
year, there had been no or little development, Buddhadeb
said, "The development process is being hampered by constant
threats from Maoists and PCAPA supporters."
Elucidating the point, he said development had taken
place in the areas around main roads where the joint forces
had been able to re-establish control.
"However, we are not able to develop the core area i.e.
deep inside villages and jungles as the joint forces are yet
to penetrate there."
Giving details of the development work, he said the
supply line into ration shops in 11 blocks of the Lalgarh area
had been improved and that a final BPL list after being
reviewed would be prepared and enforced in end-December.
"The Public Health Engineering has been working to
improve the drinking water supply, health and irrigation
system. However, work is being hampered because of problems
created by the Maoists. They are extorting money form the
contractors and the government officials," he said.
Asked about occupation of school buildings by the joint
forces, Bhattacharjee said he was confident that they would be
vacated by mid-January, next year.
Bureau Report