Blaming the Left Front government’s wrong policies for the emergence of the Maoist problem in the state, Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday asked the rebels to abjure violence and come to the negotiation table. Addressing an election rally at Burrabazar in Bandwan police station area of Purulia district for Congress

The Maoists on Thursday announced that they would not allow the CPI(M) and the Congress to campaign in Jangalmahal but Trinamul Congress was free to seek vote. In a two-page press statement issued by CPI (Maoist) leader of Purulia Bikram, the Maoists have again given a call for vote boycott, describing the Assembly elections as a farce. “Our stand is clear: first revolution and then election,” the press release said.

Three Forward Bloc activists were shot dead by armed Maoists in Purulia district, the police said on Monday.