Government not to impose ban on Maoists: CM

Kolkata, Jul 3(UNI) The West Bengal government does not have plans to impose ban on the underground Communist Party of India(Maoist) despite surge in their extremist activities, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee told the state Assembly today.

Replying a question of Leader of the Opposition Partha Chatterjee, the Chief Minister said his government wanted to tackle the problem politically, administratively and through various socio-economic measures.

"Only a ban would not be able to check the Maoists. Instead, the menace can be handled through political, administrative and socio-economic measures," Mr.Bhattacharjee, who also holds the Home department, said.

"Several states have suggested a ban on the Maoists during a recent meeting with the Prime Minister, but our government does not subscribe to this view," he said.

Mr.Bhattacharjee, in this context, referred to the solution of problem of militancy in Naxalbari in the past through political and administrative means.

The Chief Minister said altogether 42 political leaders and activists had been killed by the Maoists in West Bengal since 2005.In all, 12 policemen were killed and seventy injured since the Maoists became active in the state, he said.

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