No talks with Maoists unless they give up arms: West Bengal CM

Midnapore, Nov 8: West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today asserted that his government was not interested in any dialogue with either the Maoists or PCAPA activists, unless they shun the path of violence.

''They must abjure violence and surrender arms and only after that any talks can materialise,'' the Chief Minister said.

He was talking to newspersons in Midnapore Circuit House after a two-day deliberation on law and order situation and development measures to be undertaken in the Junglemahal areas of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts.

In the process of deliberations, he met 11 BDOs who are working in the Maoist-dominated areas, District Magistrates and SPs of the three districts.

Chief Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborty and Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen also took part in the meetings.

Answering a question from the press, he said, ''I have thoroughly read Maoist philosophy, but these Maoists working in these areas are nothing but terrorists. So, there cannot be any further dialogues with them.'' To another query, he alleged that the Trinamool Congress, PCAPA and some other voluntary organisations were cooperating with the Maoists.

''If you go to Lalgarh, Salboni, Goaltore and other affected areas, you will realise the truth. These political parties and voluntary organisations are indirectly helping them,'' Mr Bhattacharjee said.

He declared that all educational institutions, which are so far being occupied by the combined forces, would be vacated and classes would start till November 15.

He also praised the Centre's policy on the Maoists and said, ''The Maoists are the greatest threat to our safety and security at the moment. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has announced green hunt project for flushing out Maoists and I concur with his view.

''The green hunt project is, however, not suitable for our state,'' he said.

Deliberating on the law and order situation in the Junglemahal areas, he claimed that the morale of the police was very high and the achievements of the combined forces were quite satisfactory.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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