-The Hindu
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday, warned organisations glorifying Maoists that the government would take action against them anytime. Ms. Banerjee also gave a justification, for the first time in six months, as to why she could not keep her promise of force withdrawal from the Jangalmahal
Addressing a press meet at the State Secretariat, she said the government still hoped that good sense would prevail upon the Maoists and they and their sympathisers would return to the mainstream. “But there are provisions in Central Acts that empower the government to act against persons seeking to glorify Maoists or any other rebel group. Don’t aid the ultras,” she warned.
Ms. Banerjee was reacting to a press conference held by the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) and 21 other organisations, against what they described as the government’s moves to change a meeting venue fixed by them. Also sharing the dais and the concern of the organisers on this issue, was social rights activist Mahasweta Devi.
Ms. Banerjee said: “There are some people who are trying to fish in troubled waters…they do not want peace to return in the Jangalmahal. Since we took over six months ago [the government completed six months in office on Sunday] we have not got a single paisa from the Centre…yet we are trying…at least people in the Jangalmahal are no longer starving.”
Giving for the first time her rationale for not withdrawing troops from the Jangalmahal area , Ms. Banerjee said : “Yes it was a poll promise, and that is why we tried for six months to restore peace in that area when we did not allow security operations to take place.”
“But what have you done?” she asked the rebels. “You killed seven-eight people…law and order is a State subject. I cannot let my people be killed. I cannot deny my responsibility.” she said, adding that people would not pardon her.
Security cover
On whether she will use the National Security Guards in the wake of threats to her life, she said the security of the people was more important to her.
Referring to the recent incident which many felt marked the resumption of active security operations, Ms. Banerjee said that while the rebels had already killed two persons (Trinamool Congress leaders), information was that they were going to an adjacent village for carrying out a big operation. “A gun-battle ensued which left two of the rebels dead while injuring two security personnel of whom one succumbed to his injuries on Saturday,” she said.
Ms. Banerjee paid her respects to the jawan whose body was brought to the city and was laid at the foot of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue.
She said that while some Maoists had already surrendered, others had sent out feelersin this regard. “I welcome them back, I will still have faith in the peace process,” she said.She was referring to the move by APDR and 21 other organisations to hold a sit-in demonstration and a hunger-strike for two days.