Trinamool MP warns government against the use of army to fight Maoists

Kolkata, June 10 (ANI): Trinamool Congress MP Kabir Suman has said that if Central government uses army against the Maoists, it could be one short of a war.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, Suman said: "If the government deploys the army then they will see what a war is. I have that faith in the people of the country."

He termed the Maoists as "true patriots" fighting to prevent capture of tribal lands and destruction of culture by corporate houses with the help of the government.

Suman also criticised the Central government for launching an extensive operation against the Maoists in Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

"I opposed the Operation Green Hunt since it was launched by the UPA government to kill innocent people in the name of flushing out the Maoists. And I will oppose it despite being a part of the UPA government," he said.

Earlier, it was reported from New Delhi that the government will this week decide whether to call in the military to help fight a growing Maoist insurgency.

State governments fear that using the military would alienate the local population.

Several states such as West Bengal and Bihar, where the rebels are strong in large rural swathes, are scheduled to hold elections to their respective legislatures during 2011. (ANI)