Maoists block Mamata progress plans
Despite making sustained efforts, chief minister Mamata Banerjee is finding it difficult to tackle the Maoist problem in the state because of the intransigence of the ultras.
Her repeated appeals to them to lay down arms have proved to be an exercise in futility. Even her goodwill gesture of totally suspending joint operations against the rebels have not been reciprocated. The Maoists launched a pre-planned attack on joint forces in Salboni area in West Midnapore three days ago injuring a CRPF jawan. Moreover, taking advantage of Ms Banerjee’s kid-glove treatment, the rebels who were caught on the backfoot, have regrouped and are trying to regain their lost ground in the Jangalmahal.
In the run up to the Assembly elections, Ms Banerjee had said that restoring peace in the Hills and the Jangalmahal would be her top priorities after coming to power. Her persistent endeavours yielded result and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders who had vowed not to accept anything short of a separate Gorkhaland, agreed to accept the agreement.
She, however, did not get similar success in the Jangalmahal although she undertook a three-day visit of Maoist hotbeds in West Midnapore and Bankura districts in mid-July. She addressed public rallies in Nayagram and Jhargram in West Midnapore and Sarenga in Bankura. She announced huge development packages for development in tribal areas. She went so far as to announce the inclusion of the entire tribal population in the BPL list.
Besides, showering largesses on the tribals, she also made fervent appeals to the Maoists to come to the negotiation table. To encourage them to shun the path of violence and return to the mainstream, she offered an attractive financial and rehabilitation package. But so far the Maoists have not paid any heed.
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