MAHASHWETA Diversion from EXTREME Left to EXTREME RIGHT as Mamata Banerjee rewards intellectuals in West Bengal
The meeting, which has been organised by the Railways, is being billed as the first-ever meeting of minds between national representatives of the top three business chambers –namely Ficci, Assocham and CII – with local industry bodies also likely to participate in strength.
Incidentally, it comes less than a year after Ms Banerjee led a campaign against forcible acquisition of farmland for industry which led to the Tata group withdrawing its small car project 'Nano' from Singur.
In the meeting the minister is scheduled to present her vision of the Railways, an exercise that is likely to involve a fleshing out of the proposals she had presented as part of the Rail Budget on July 3, 2009.
Ms Banerjee had suggested a spate of new projects through public-private partnerships (PPPs) to improve Railway infrastructure and services. This includes projects to manufacture suburban EMU coaches, high capacity freight bogies and multi-functional complexes where Railways look at leasing out land for a proposed new factory.
The minister has already set up an expert committee headed by Ficci's secretary general, Mr Amit Mitra to prepare a business plan on innovative new ways to foster PPP in the Railways.
"The Railways have invited all the three apex national chambers for a meeting," Mr Mitra told ET on the sidelines of an event organized to mark the 54th Railway Week celebrations.
A top source close to the developments told ET: "The minister would spell out the template of growth she had outlined during the Rail Budget to leading business leaders and industry heads and, in turn, take their questions on the subject and interact with them. The objective is to bring about a synergy so that Industry can take part in Railways growth plans and modernization effectively."
"It is being organized essentially in a bid to engage with industry, create a platform for ideation and invite new ideas in making some of the proposals work," the source added.
Earlier, speaking at the function, Ms Banerjee told assembled Railway employees : We have a land bank of 1.12 lakh acres. We are in the process of preparing a business plan to utilize it and have set up an expert committee under Amit Mitra who will suggest ways for us to earn more money through commercial utilization of our land and air space.
The meeting was attended by Railway Board members and general managers of all zonal Railways and other organizations under the railway ministry.
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| Chief Secretary Ashok Chakrabarty visited Malda to hold a meeting with the district offiers in the circuit house to discuss the situation. |
Saying the situation there "is still not normal", Union home secretary G K Pillai said the operation against Maoists who had dominated the area due to "eight months of zero administration" would continue and CRPF and BSF would be there "as long as it is required" to restore complete peace.
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Altogether 12 personalities - including eminent writer and social activist Mahasweta Devi, poet Joy Goswami, veteran Bengali actor Supriya Devi, painter Suvaprasanna, dancer Amala Shankar, singer Nirmala Mishra, theatre personality Bivas Chakraborty - were honoured on behalf of the Indian Railways during the occasion.
Top Maoist leader Koteswar Rao alias Kishanji has thrown the gauntlet at the government following Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P. Chidambaram's promise to weed out the "Maoist menace" in the country.
Kishanji, speaking from an undisclosed location in Lalgarh on Tuesday night, said the Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army of the rebels would reply to the police "onslaught on the people bullet for bullet". The Maoist politburo member in charge of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Orissa alleged that the governments, both at the Centre and in the states, were whipping up anti-Naxalite propaganda to distract attention from their own failure to eradicate poverty and under-development.
"No government, either at the Centre or in the states, ever attempted to eradicate poverty. Now, when the people are becoming restless, the governments are trying to suppress the people's movement by letting lose the police" Kishanji said.
The Maoist leader, who is also in charge of the party's central military commission, reacted to the government's attempts to label the rebels as terrorists.
"Our only interest is to serve the people, stay among them and liberate them from the clutches of oppression. No government in the world has ever won a war against the people. We will reply the government's planned onslaught bullet for bullet," he said.
Indicating a change in the Maoist strategy in West Bengal, Kishanji said they would no longer keep silent on the Trinamool Congress and Left Front allies such as the RSP, Forward Bloc and CPI and concentrate their attack only against the CPM. "In West Bengal, all the Left Front partners have ganged up with the CPM to annihilate the peoples' struggle in Lalgarh. At the Centre, Trinamool Congress has ganged up with the Congress to crack down on us. Why hasn't Mamata (Banerjee) resigned from the Cabinet if she is sincere about her opposition to deployment of paramilitary forces in Lalgarh?" Kishanji asked.
The top rebel leader's presence in Lalgarh, despite 50 companies of security personnel hunting for the man, coincided with the Maoists stepping up their armed activities and the Peoples' Committee Against Police Atrocities clamping an indefinite strike in the three districts of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia demanding immediate withdrawal of the central forces.
Courtesy: Mail Today
The CRPF personnel, who are currently living in school and government buildings, will move into "alternate accommodations" within a fortnight, CRPF DG A.S. Gill said on Thursday. The Centre's announcement comes amid reports of Maoists staging a comeback in Lalgarh.
While counter-offensive operations are already on in neighbouring Jharkhand and Purulia and Bankura in West Bengal, the CRPF is gearing to move into new areas soon where Naxals are still roaming freely. "The state police has come back. We can't put a date but the CRPF will stay there as long as necessary," Mr Gill said.
Home secretary G.K. Pillai said, "Neither from the CPI(M) or the Trinamul Congress is there any pressure on the CRPF to withdraw." Asked whether Trinamul Congress chief and railway minister Mamata Banerjee was putting pressure to end the operations, Mr Pillai said: "There is no pressure whatsoever."
"Now that we are by and large consolidated, we will try to spread to more areas to ensure that killings by CPI (Maoist) completely cease. And we hope to achieve that," Mr Gill said. He said that the Centre is all set to replicate the Lalgarh operation in states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa. "Lalgarh is the laboratory for us and this will be reflected in what we are going to do in other Naxal-infested areas like Chhattisgarh. The operation in Lalgarh was by and large successful, but not complete as we want to arrest all top Maoists leaders," he said.
The state government is soon going to issue notification for conferring the PCIR (Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrchemicals Investment Region) status on the Haldia-Nayachar area.
This was decided at a high-level meeting at the Writers' Buildings on Thursday chaired by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and attended by Minister for Commerce and Industries Nirupam Sen and Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta.
Bhattacharjee has not been attending office for the last three days because of illness.
"Several issues came up during the meeting, including transfer of land from the commerce and industries department to Prafulla Chandra Chemical Complex, which will be the parent company for setting up the chemical hub at Nayachar. The issues of publishing notification under the Town and Country Planning Act, signing of the MoU with the Central government and others were also discussed at the meeting," a senior government official said.
On the other hand Indian Express reports:
Promising an investor-friendly environment, the Bihar government is all set to woo private players from West Bengal for investment in its food-processing sector.
At a programme organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry in Kolkata on Friday, the principal secretary of industries department, Government of Bihar, A K Sinha said Bengal has tremendous potential for churning out private investors.
With Bihar's new food-processing policy, the Nitish Kumar government intends to open its door to the inbound state investment.
"The investment scenario in Bihar has changed in the past few years. In Bihar, we have come up with a liberal food processing policy that is beneficial for investors. We want private players in Bengal to invest in our state," said Sinha.
According to Sinha, benefits like 100 per cent exemption for set up, 80 per cent VAT reimbursement, 40 per cent capital subsidy and other government incentives are bound to attract investors from Bengal.
Till now, nearly all promotions in government departments are time-bound. Though confidential reports of officers are scrutinized, promotion is not normally withheld unless there are charges of gross misconduct against a person. Officers now believe that the scheme will encourage railwaymen across the board to perform better.
"The railways cannot survive without its human face. Even a gangman can prevent a major accident. The 268 medals and certificates awarded today are insufficient. Even the family members of railwaymen need to be awarded. I am planning a scheme through which, railwaymen who perform their duties well, may even get double promotions, as we used to get during our school days. This will be across the board. Even gangmen and safaiwallahs will be rewarded for their good work. The railways will reward and protect good officers and employees. We shall also take care of those who reveal the misdeeds of others," Mamata said at the 54th Railway Week National Awards function in Kolkata.
The railway minister said she has no plans to privatize the railways or any of its departments. However, business plans will be made to earn money so that employees and officers lead more secured lives. She, however, made it clear that employees who do not perform will not be spared. "We are one big family and will strive forward to make the railways the best in the world."
| Lalgarh replay outside cordon - Tribals and rebels dig up roads beyond forces' area of control | |
| OUR CORRESPONDENT | |
Midnapore, Aug. 20: Tribals and Maoists have dug up roads or placed chopped trees on them at several points just outside the security forces' circle of domination in West Midnapore in what seems like a repeat of resistance tactics now synonymous with Lalgarh. Last night, villagers owing allegiance to the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities, accompanied by the rebels, dug up two roads — one running from Jhargram to Chandra, the other from Lalgarh town to Dherua. (See graphic) Between Jhargram and Baita, a village about 24km from Lalgarh town, the villagers placed trees on the road. The stretch between Baita and Dherua, close to the Dharampur police camp, was dug up in three places. The road between Dherua and Chandra showed freshly dug ditches in four places, while the road from Lalgarh town to Dherua, with Dharampur in between, was cut at least in three places. All this was done, according to police, to keep the forces away when the rebels and the tribals later attacked the homes of seven local CPM leaders and also vandalised a party office in Malbandhi. Had the the security forces in the three camps at Dharampur, Chandra and Jhargram town tried to rescue the CPM families in Baita, they would have found all the roads blocked. "This is the same tactic the Maoists employed in Lalgarh before the joint forces moved in. Whenever police tried to enter any trouble spot, the Maoist instructed villagers to dig up roads," a police officer said. The houses of CPM local committee member Bankim Singha and chief of the Baita gram panchayat Suman Singha were attacked, though both had announced that they had quit the party a month ago following Maoist threats. Neither leader was at home. "The villagers along with the Maoists surrounded our house around midnight. They ransacked it and broke the furniture with axes and rods. They took the broken pieces of furniture outside and set them on fire. They also looted my jewellery and money," said Manju, Bankim's wife. Around the same time another group of about 200 villagers, again with Maoists accompanying them, ransacked the CPM local committee office in Malbandhi — standing deserted for a month now — and set the furniture and papers on fire. "In every house, the Maoists set the furniture on fire after ransacking the house and looting money and jewellery," said a police officer. A police officer said one of the reasons for the attack could be the detention of eight villagers for questioning yesterday. "Last evening, security forces picked up eight villagers from Gohomidanga for questioning. But they were released when we realised that we had picked up the wrong people," said Manoj Verma, West Midnapore SP. Security pat The Centre wants the Lalgarh security operation to be a model for other states. "This is a laboratory for the kind of operations we will do in Chhattisgarh (and elsewhere)," Union home secretary Gopal Krishna Pillai said, specifically speaking on Lalgarh. Pillai termed the operations in Lalgarh largely successful, considering that the area was under Maoist control till June. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090821/jsp/bengal/story_11389626.jsp |
Maoists step up attacks in Lalgarh, ramgarh, Joint forces to stay
; Statesman News Service
NEW DELHI/MIDNAPORE, 20 AUG: Central paramilitary forces will continue to stay in Lalgarh area to assist the state security forces till the situation improves in the region, the Union home secretary, Mr GK Pillai, said here today.
There would be no change in the CRPF deployment in the region in the near future and the force would continue operations along with the state security forces to flush out and eliminate naxalites. Police have also seized a large number of SLRs (self-loading rifles) and .303 rifles, which were looted from the state police forces, as also a large number of country-made weapons, said the CRPF director-general, Mr AS Gill, who was also present at the briefing.
Mr Pillai said the situation is improving in Lalgarh, adding that the Central government has increased welfare activities in the area to help local residents. Recently, the government has revised the list of BPL families increasing it from 11,837 to 18,915, an increase of over 7000 families. It would enable more people to avail of social welfare schemes. Employment opportunities in the region have also improved due to more enrolment under NREGS, Mr Pillai said. In the past 84 days more than Rs 65 lakh has been distributed under NREGS, he added. The government has also given various incentives to farmers, including 2,000 mini farmers' kits, distribution of 600 goats and installation of over 300 more water resources, the home secretary said. Meanwhile, the Police Santras Birodhi Public Committee's (PSBPC) rampage in league with Maoists continues at Junglemahal in West Midnapore. After razing the CPI-M office at Dherua in Midnapore Kotwali police station area to the ground the PSBPC dug up roads at several places blocking the movement of joint forces and ransacked the Marxist party office in adjoining Malbandi today and the houses of eight CPI-M activists in the area. All the residents, along with other villagers, have fled. Locals are tightlipped. The PSBPC leaders threatened that they won't allow Marxist comrades to live in peace until their eight supporters, abducted from Gohomidanga in neighbouring Lalgarh by CPI-M cadres yesterday, are released. They threatened to torch the cadres' houses and other belongings.
The joint forces have failed to show any spectacular achievement in their second phase of operation which began last week, except for nabbing a handful of Maoist cadres, as announced by home secretary Mr Ardhendu Sen at a Press conference in Midnapore town on 13 August. He said the forces would frequently change their strategy to befool the Maoists so that they don't get any breathing space.
Maoist cadres fired at the police outpost in Ramgarh early today. Police retaliated and the gun battle lasted an hour. A few hundred PSBPC activists reportedly assembled near a police camp at Kasdasole in Goaltore to launch an attack. The joint forces have been kept ready to meet any eventuality.
The indefinite bandh called by the PSBPC from Tuesday at Junglemahal of Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia will be relaxed for two hours from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. from tomorrow.
In another development, CPI-M Politburo member Mr Sitaram Yechury accused Central ministers belonging to Trinamul Congress of abetting Maoists in West Bengal. Referring to the Prime Minister's Independence Day speech, Mr Yechury said Dr Singh had expressed "great concern" at the growing Maoist violence and stated that the Centre would redouble its efforts to deal with the menace. But he must explain how he continues to tolerate members of his own Cabinet aiding and abetting Maoist violence in Lalgarh and other parts of West Bengal, he said.
http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=1&theme=&usrsess=1&id=265395
German firms ready to invest in Bengal
A delegation of representatives of 25 German companies will visit Kolkata in April to explore investment opportunities in the state.
According to the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC), the delegation will meet Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee during its two-day stay in the city.
The delegation will be led by Philipp Roesler, German Minister for Economics, Employment and Transport. Besides Kolkata, the delegation will visit Pune, Mumbai, and Chennai.
Companies dealing with solid waste management, water management, environment, air-pollution, minerals, engineering and electronics will be part of the delegation.
"Besides exploring business opportunities and investment in the state, the companies will also seek a strategic business partner. The companies may procure certain raw materials from the state at a cheaper price than Germany," said B G Roy, director, eastern region, Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle.
Dasgupta warns against investing in foreign banks
State Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta on Wednesday advised people not to deposit money in foreign banks or foreign insurance companies considering the crash in the share market.
Dasgupta was of the view that the private banks which have tie-ups with foreign banks were also not safe for investment purposes.
On the prevailing situation of the share market, Dasgupta said foreign banks were responsible for the setback in the market. People should deposit money in nationalised banks and insurance companies, advised Dasgupta.
Dasgupta also felt that the steps taken by the Union finance ministry as well as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) were not sufficient to revive the economy. The ministry should have slashed the interest rates of nationalised banks on loans given to industries, trading and agriculture sectors, he added.
The minister also claimed that the price rise would not have taken place if the interest rates were slashed by the Union finance ministry.
Metro Cash & Carry gets licence to do business, cannot touch retail
With Nano having set back West Bengal's industrialisation by a few paces, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee got some reprieve on Friday when his so-far stubborn colleagues in the Forward Bloc issued a fresh trade licence to German wholesale major Metro Cash & Carry to continue business in the state.
The state's Agriculture Marketing Board, controlled by the Forward Bloc, handed out the trade licence within deadline — October 10 — though government offices were closed because of Durga Puja. The licence will be valid till March 2009.
The permit came after the state government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the German firm, which says the company can sell commodities to only those who have a trade licence. The MoU also specifies Metro can do business on agro-products with those who have an Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) licence like it. The company cannot enter into direct or indirect retail business or opt for contract farming, the memorandum states.
- I am the last person to privatise Railways : Mamata
Ruling out 'mischievous propaganda' about railway privatisation, Railway minister Mamata Banerjee today said the interest of employees will be protected while expanding the commercial interests of the Railways.
"Some people are mischievously saying that the Railways are going to be privatised. I want to assure the employees that I am the last person to privatise the Railways," she told the 54th Annual Railways National Awards function.
Pointing out that 1.12 lakh acre of railway land had been identified for commercial utilisation, she said two expert committees under the chairmanship of FICCI Secretary General Amit Mitra and National Knowledge Commission Chairman Sam Pitroda had been formed to provide 'innovative ideas'.
"I want to assure that the employees' interests will be protected when we implement these innovative ideas in the commercial interests of the Railways," she said.
Cultural treat give railwaymen a reason to cheer
KOLKATA: It was an awards function with a difference, thanks to railway minister Mamata Banerjee. She ensured that the 54th Railway Week National
At one point, it turned into more of a "jam session" with Kabir Suman egging on veteran singer Nirmala Mishra into rendering an all-time
favourite. Even Mamata joined Suman for Purono sei diner kotha, much to the delight of the hundreds of railwaymen attending the event
Probably for the first time in Indian Railway's history, 15 eminent personalities from the fields of art, music, literature, theatre, dance and films were honoured at an official railway programme of this magnitude. Among those seated on the dais with Mamata, the two ministers of state for railways and senior Railway Board officials were writer Mahasweta Devi, thespian Bivas Chakrabarty, poet Joy Goswami, actress Supriya Devi, singer and composer Pratul Mukhopadhyay, painters Suvaprasanna and Jogen Chowdhury, singers Sumitra Sen, Nirmala Mishra, Anup Ghosal and Subir Sen and danseuse Amala Shankar.
Apart from mementos, Mamata handed over lifetime railway passes to them. The passes will allow them free upper class travel across the country with an associate. The recipients were clearly bowled over by the gesture.
Mahasweta Devi went ahead and asked for a thousand mosquito nets and a same number of tarpaulin sheets for Aila victims. Mamata said she would arrange for them soon.
While Pratul Mukhopadhyay and Anup Ghosal were coaxed into singing a few stanzas each, a beaming Nirmala Mishra said she agreed to attend the ceremony not for any politics but because of her love for Mamata. Joy Goswami said this was the for the first time that he was sharing the dais with greats such as Subir Sen and Sumitra Sen. Mamata said she would similarly honour eminent personalities from other states.
Many of the intellectuals present on Thursday may have refused to share the dais with Mamata even a few years ago because of political differences. But all that has changed now. For Mamata, this is nothing less than a great victory as anything to do with intellectuals in the state was traditionally associated with the Marxists.
Scholarships were also awarded to children of railway personnel. While five children were awarded the Prime Minister's scholarship, 26 girl children of Group D employees were given scholarships by the railways. The girls will get Rs 1,200 a month for their education. Mamata said she would do more for the families of railway employees.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cultural-treat-give-railwaymen-a-reason-to-cheer/articleshow/4917022.cms
CM chairs Nayachar meet
KOLKATA: Even as private partners of the joint venture company APC Roy Chemical Complex (APCRCC), floated to take up infrastructure development at
All aspects of keeping the project well on track were also discussed and reviewed by the CM. The draft of the MoU between the Centre and the state government necessary for the project, which would be signed once the Centre clears it, was also discussed.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4916935.cms
Buddha's Delhi speech in absentia claims order in Lalgarh
Though the state government has admitted that the first phase of joint Centre-state operations to flush out Maoists from Lalgarh failed to get desired results, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee is of the view that it "restored order in most of the villages and made it possible to restart development work".
In the speech that he was to deliver at the recent chief ministers' meet in Delhi that he could not attend for health reasons, the CM had claimed that the joint operation against the Maoists "cannot be successful unless a similar operation was conducted in Jharkhand in collaboration with Bengal police".
According to the CM's speech, which has been released by his secretariat three days after the August 17 meeting in Delhi, Bhattacharjee wanted that the Union government allow the Central forces to remain in Lalgarh till the Jharkhand operation was over.
"There is a need to launch such an operation without delay and to continue the operation in our state till that (Jharkhand operation) is over," the draft of the speech, which also dwells on the Darjeeling issue, says. "A joint operation by the state police, CRPF and BSF had been launched on June 18 to regain control over Lalgarh. The operation has been acclaimed by a large section of people. It has restored order in most of the villages and made it possible to restart development work," it says.
However, senior officers in the home department disputed the CM's portrayal of the situation in Lalgarh and his claim that 67 Maoists were arrested.
... contd.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/buddhas-delhi-speech-in-absentia-claims-order-in-lalgarh/504808/
Future of India lies with the Left: Buddhadeb
Raktima Bose
| "Time to turn things around in West Bengal" |
KOLKATA: Asserting that turning around and reaching out to those who might have misunderstood the Left was imperative for taking the leftist movement forward in West Bengal, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said here on Friday: "There is no going back."
'No alternative'
Addressing the memorial meeting of Subhas Chakraborty, the State Transport Minister and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader who died here on August 3, Mr. Bhattacharjee said: "There is no alternative to the Left in West Bengal. It is time to turn things around."
Several prominent Left leaders paid tribute to the memory of Subhas Chakraborty, who was described as a leader of the masses. Two senior leaders of the State Congress leadership were also present.
"We believe that socialism is inevitable. We believe that the future of India does not lie in the hands of either the Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party. It lies with the Left," Mr. Bhattacharjee said.
"What change?"
Pointing out that a "peculiar" political situation had risen in West Bengal "with the Left on one side and a strange combination of forces of varied beliefs and colour on the other," Mr. Bhattacharjee wondered "what change" the Opposition was talking about.
"What do they want to change? Do they want to change things to lead the State in a rightist direction? If so, the people will never accept it," he said.
Apt tribute
Biman Bose, Secretary of the State Committee of the CPI(M), said imparting renewed vigour to the Left movement was the most apt tribute one could pay to Subhas Chakraborty.
Recalling the role he played in inspiring mass movements in 1971-72, Mr. Bose said a similar zeal is necessary to "counter the chaos and unrest being incited by a desperate Opposition in the State."
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Log on to 
While she spoke about getting finances for Railways through "innovative business plans", Banerjee showered lavishes for her guests by booking expensive hotels and hiring around 150 private cars, including 20 cars for celebrities and industrialists, for the three-day event.
Besides handing out 338 awards, including 268 individual awards for performance, the railways for the first time gave scholarships to 26 daughters of Group-D railway employees for their higher studies.
Mindful of the support that her party received from artiste fraternity in her fight against the CPM in Nandigram and Singur, Banerjee gave away awards to 12 city artistes. Among them were theatre personality Bibhas Chakraborty, poet Joy Goswami, actress Supriya Devi, singers Nirmala Mishra and Anup Ghosal and classical dancer Amala Shankar.
The singer-turned-Trinamool MP Kabir Suman sang a few anti-Left songs and played guitar before the 1,500-strong crowd. Banerjee also gave lifetime free first class tickets to all the artists and their one companion.
"Railway is always there in times of disaster and its employees are no less dedicated than Army personnel. We do not only have a duty for providing transport but also a social obligation. This time we started honouring intellectuals of Bengal and we will carry out this in other states," Banerjee said.
Renowned author Maheswata Devi, who was felicitated by the minister, showered praises for Banerjee and said, "Till date whatever she (Mamata) has done is laudable, be it fighting for the poor or coming up with a train for working women."
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/mamata-showers-railway-riches-on-artistes/504818/
Normality returning to Lalgarh, claims West Bengal Govt.
Kolkata, June 24 (ANI): The West Bengal Government on Wednesday claimed the situation in Maoist-infested Lalgarh was returning to normal, as the operations by security forces entered 5th day on Wednesday.
The operation by security forces and State police is being carried out to reclaim areas taken over by Maoist-backed tribals at Lalgarh in West Midnapore district.
"I think the situation is returning to normal in Lalgarh. I have talked to the local people. I have heard their grievances. I feel if we all work together, normalcy will return soon," West Bengal Chief Secretary Asok Mohan Chakraborty told newsmen at a helipad next to the Lalgarh police station.
Asked how long the operations would continue, Chakraborty said, "The forces are here. It will depend on them and their commanders. It is not for me to comment on."
With six truckloads of rice arriving, the chief secretary said from Thursday, besides rice, dal and potatoes would be provided free to displaced villagers and in relief camps for which the Block Developmetn Officer has been given instructions.
Chakraborty said Moaists were trying to pressurise the villagers to stay away from relief camps and rice distribution centres. "I talked to the local people and asked them to defeat the designs of the Maoists." (ANI)
| Pranab and Buddha on Maoist hitlist | |||||||||||
| Aloke Banerjee | |||||||||||
| Lalgarh (West Bengal), July 26, 2009 It has been over a month since security forces " liberated" Lalgarh. But Maoists continue to have a free run in the area, striking at will. In a startling revelation, the Maoists" Midnapur- Purulia- Bankura zonal committee leader Bikash said the rebels were planning to attack Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. They were also thinking of targeting Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee. But the Maoists would " spare" Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee for now. In an interview to Mail Today, Bikash said, " We do only what the people want. At present, their wrath is primarily directed against the CPM. We missed Buddha ( the CM) when we had targeted him in a landmine blast last November. But we will try again." " If we get a chance, we will also target Pranab ( Mukherjee), because the people feel the Centre and the state governments are jointly trying to crush their struggle," he added. On Mamata, the top Maoist leader said: " There is no plan to attack Mamata now. We will expose her politically." But Bikash denied that the Maoists have a tacit understanding with the Trinamool, as is being alleged by the CPM. " Trinamool is no different from the CPM or the Congress. They represent the same reactionary interests. But unless the people understand that and demand action against them, we will not do anything," he said. Decked in his olive green uniform with an AK 47 at his side, a relaxed Bikash explained how the Maoists were dodging a staggering 50- company strong police force in Lalgarh. " The media is blowing the police operation out of proportion. This is helping the government divert attention from its failure to rehabilitate victims of the cyclone Aila," he said. " The CRPF ( Central Reserve Police Force), the IRB ( India Reserve Battalion), Straco and the state police have been present here ( in Lalgarh) for the last 10 years. Our party, the PLGA ( People"s Liberation Guerilla Army) and the locals are used to tackling such police operations," Bikash said about the recent crackdown on the rebels. Bikash also said the Maoists were ready to talk to the government on the issue of Lalgarh. However, he ruled out laying down arms. " It is only because we are arming the people that the government now wants a dialogue with us. Otherwise, they would have simply crushed us," he said. Denying the government"s charge that Maoist violence was preventing development of the area, Bikash said, " Was there much development before we came here 10 years ago? The CPM says we have killed about 100 people so far. But they also admit over 30,000 were killed during 32 years of Left Front rule and 50 per cent of those were political killings. Now who is indulging in the politics of violence?" He also shrugged off allegations that the Maoists were killing CPM men from poor families and challenged the media or any independent agency to prove his claim wrong. " We awarded death penalty only to extremely bad elements " those who tortured people, were utterly corrupt or were police informers. In each case, it was the people who wanted such action. Most policemen come from poor families too. But when they come here to crush the peoples" movement, we have to fight them," he said. Bikash also denied that his party was resorting to extortion. " We only collect taxes and issue receipts for them. It is not extortion. Our tax is much less than what contractors used to pay as bribe to CPM leaders and government officers." He said, " The police encouraged local criminals to extort money from people to give Maoists a bad name. We will put a stop to that." Courtesy: Mail Today
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The CPI(M) has dared Home Minister P Chidambaram to visit Jharkhand.
"Home minister P Chidambaram says the government will end Maoist movement in the country. His statement will remain a dream. It is not possible to end the movement... If Chidambaram has the courage, he should come to Jharkhand," the CPI (Maoist) said in a press release issued late on Monday.
It also threatens Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
"Both the PM and Sonia Gandhi will meet a fate like former prime minister, late Rajiv Gandhi," said the release issued by Anup-ji, a member of the Jharkhand state central committee of the CPI (Maoist).
The CPI-Maoist, in the statement, has also threatened Congress leaders in Jharkhand, asking them to quit the party or face dire consequences.
"The CPI (Maoist) is desperate after it was termed as a terrorist outfit. It just wants to gain mileage by issuing such press releases," a police official involved in anti-Maoist operation in Jharkhand said.
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