Mamata refuses to tolerate Maoist's violence in Jungle Mahal

Kolkata, Sept 30: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday, Sept 29, met the group of interlocutors appointed by her for talks with the Maoists at Writers' and told them to convene a message to the rebels that any violence in Jungle Mahal “would not be tolerated".

The state government has requested the centre for posting 41 battalions of forces in Jungle Mahal by Oct 6. Mamata convened a message to Maoist through Trinamool general secretary Mukul Roy that Maoist should not think meeting is the weakness of the government and it will not be able to initiate peace in the Maoist-affected areas.

In a meeting in Singur, Mamata raised the issue of recent murders including that of two Trinamool leaders and one Jharkhand Janamukti Morcha leader. They were suspectedly kiled by Maoists.

Chief secretary Samar Ghosh has been quoted as saying, “We have to keep the existing forces (in Jungle Mahal) intact and the question of deploying extra forces in Junglemangal doesn"t arise now."

Mamata declared that Maoists have to choose between talks and killing saying that they can't go together. She said that killing innocent people and then desiring for talks is not acceptable.

Mukul Roy, Trinamool general secretary has been quoted as saying, “If there are killings or deterioration in law and order, the government will take firm steps to restore peace. The government would go ahead with its development programmes in Jungle Mahal. Around 126 secondary schools in Jungle Mahal will be upgraded to the higher-secondary level. A bridge and a number of health centres will be built."

He added, "we will distribute adequate quantity of foodgrain among the people of Jungle Mahal. Why are our party workers being murdered? Why are posters being put up asking Trinamool workers and supporters not to attend party meetings?"

OneIndia News