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“I have told the BDOs to undertake development work. And I have also told the police that mindless killings of the Maoists cannot go on for long. We are going to launch an all-out police action soon to rid the state of the menace of Maoism. I believe that if you also raise your head against this danger and give us your co-operation, we will be able to drive them away from the state,” he said during a rally at Debra in West Midnapore district, considered to be a Naxalite heartland.
Earlier in the day, Bhattacharjee said he agreed with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s contention that Maoists were the greatest danger to the nation. The Chief Minister, who came to Midnapore on Saturday to review the law and order situation as well as developmental projects in the districts of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia affected by Left-wing extremism, was speaking to mediapersons during a press conference at Midnapore Circuit House.
“He (Union Home Minister) has his own objective and we have our own. But we are working together. I cannot elaborate on our own strategy. But I fully agree with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who said that the Maoists are the greatest threat to the nation now,” he said.
Bhattacharjee said he would not like to call members of the CPI(Maoists) true Maoists. “I read the writings of Mao in my school days. Those who are indulging in crimes like murder and extortion are not Maoists but terrorists,” he added.
On talks with the Maoists, he said, “The question of opening any dialogue with the Maoists does not arise. They will have to abjure violence and lay down arms first. Only after that can we open any dialogue with them.”
The Chief Minister said CPM workers in the terror-hit areas were passing through hard times. “They are agitated. Because if everyday one party member or the other gets killed you can imagine the situation. They are quite agitated,” he added.
Without naming the Trinamool Congress, Bhattacharjee said that the Maoists were getting support from mainstream political parties. “The People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) is hand in glove with the Maoists and some political parties are helping the committee. We know the situation quite well,” he said.
On almost daily killings in the terror-hit region, he said, “I cannot ensure anything and everything. But we are on the offensive. The morale of the police force is very high. Compared to last year, the situation has improved now.”
Referring to the spiralling prices of essential commodities, he said he had requested the Prime Minister to do something about it. “Price rise is a serious problem. I have told the Prime Minister when I met him on October 24 to take some steps. He told me he would soon convene a meeting to find ways to tackle it,” the Chief Minister added.
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Budhadeb Bhattachrjee is correct to expose the main stream political parties and intellectuals who have been supporting Maoist in Lalgarh. These people have direct link with PCAPA movement and met maoist in different areas including in Kolkata hide out dens to help them. Rajdhani Express was stopped and Railway authorities never named any organisation in their FIR & Congress is kept mum.Money is coming from different sources including film world and terrorist outfits of international organisation.
This is typical of the boasting,raving and ranting that politicians do. By the time they get their act together the terrorists will have gone. The police and politicians will declare a victory and go home.The terrorists will strike again with vengeance. How often has this stale story been repeated to fool the country?
Such policies of fighting violence with violence has been going on in the 7 states of NE India for almost 30 years. No conclusion is in sight, no development and no chance of improvement for the next 30 years. Instead of tackling the issues which foster such violence, why are we pouring more fuel into the fire? The people who are directing such actions live safely behind walls of security while hundreds are giving their lives on both side for a cause which will benefit none.
Even though the govt seeks various counter measures to contain the maoist rebellion , they are not considering negotiations like chidambaram wanted as a likely measure to curb this problem . if Budda thinks driving them away will be a solution he is wrong , they will become stronger in other places and this problem with see no end. Negotiation and trying to fix the problems should be on the agenda , not a war when already both sides are at a disadvantage.If maoists exist its because of the govt. and its only the govt who can end this mindless war and make india a stronger country not only with harmony among religious groups but also among the various sections of people that exist here.
It is a good decision Mr Budda but please for godssake do not put the life of poorly equiped police force into denger. Moists are equiped with latest weapons and your strategy should be shared with chattisgarh and other infected states and the center.Also be sure that Moists are well connected and can go to hide or sneak into jungles , hills etc or may cause civilian deaths during operations to create tribal backlash.