For the first time since November 2008, from when the Maoists began “ruling” Lalgarh, this red-soil hamlet witnessed a huge public rally where Trinamul Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, echoing Union home minister P. Chidambaram, urged the Maoists to “shun violence first and sit for peace talks”. The August 9 rally, which
was publicised as an “apolitical” event, also gave the Union railway minister, keeping an eye on Assembly elections due in the state, a chance to present a rosy future for the inhabitants of Junglemahal.
“All the violence and misunderstandings need to be ended. There should not be any more killing. Be it a policeman, a social worker, a mediaperson, a TMC supporter, a CPM man or even a Maoist — all are human beings and deserve to live. The peace process should start immediately,” said Ms Banerjee, addressing thousands of people at the Lalgarh Ramkrishna Vidyalaya on Monday afternoon.
“Just tell me, what do you want? Where do you want to meet? But you have to stop the killings first,” she said, directly addressing the Maoists. Mentioning the peace talks between the Centre and the Maoists that was negotiated by Swami Agnivesh, Ms Banerjee said, “The killing of Azad was not right. We pray for his soul. But the peace process that was initiated by Agniveshji must start again. If needed we will go to Dantewada and Chhattisgarh also.”
Answering her critics, Ms Banerjee commented, “If I had a nexus with the Maoists, I would not have the guts to ask them to abjure violence standing here in Lalgarh. Rather, I find that more Maoists are coming from CPI(M) stronghold areas.”
“Though I am not blaming the Central forces as they are often misled by the CPI(M), the joint forces should be withdrawn on the prior condition that the Maoists will initiate a dialogue and sit at the table for talks, abjuring violence,” she added. Further condemning the bloodletting in Junglemahal, she said, “A large number of our supporters are getting killed, either by CPI(M) goons or by Maoists. Who is gaining from theses killings?”
Ms Banerjee also spoke of her efforts to restore forest rights to adivasis. “I will request the Centre to pass a comprehensive bill on forest rights that, according to me, should be reserved only for tribals. The forest should be returned to the protectors of the forest,” she said.
The TMC chief did not leave a single chance to score a political point over her rivals. She hit where it hurt the CPI(M) government the most: developmental issues. “Why are people afraid to enter the jungles? For the CPI(M) harmad (armed goons) who are hiring arms from outside the state. But what about developmental issues? All the schools, colleges, hospitals are closed in Lalgarh while funds sent by the Centre for the upliftment of Junglemahal are wasted on the harmad,”she alleged.
“The very fact that the 100-day employment scheme has been reduced to a mere 12-day work schedule in Junglemahal is indicative enough that its time for the CPI(M) to leave,” Ms Banerjee declared to her followers. What followed was a volley of assurances of roads, schools, colleges, hospitals, stadiums and employment. “Keeping in mind the widespread unemployment in this part of the state, I can start a rail factory if given a chance within my tenure.” Ms Banerjee announced a grant of Rs 20 lakhs from the MPLADS funds of Union minister of state for shipping Mukul Roy for the development of schools in Lalgarh.
The moment seemed correct for the TMC leader to address her supporters and urge them to hold similar rallies, tactically in areas that have been CPI(M) strongholds. “I am giving Mukul Roy and Shubhendu Adhikari the responsibility. Our next stop will be Garbeta. We will hold a host of such rallies in Keshpur, Belpahari, Goghat, Nanoor, Chandrakona...” The Opposition parties have been alleging that CPI(M) cadres are flexing their muscles to capture these areas.
Also addressing the mass gathering that spilled across kilometres from the rally venue were social activists Medha Patkar, Swami Agnivesh and noted author Mahasweta Devi. “There should be a proper judicial inquiry into the killings of Azad, Lal Mohan Tudu and Sidhu Soren. The truth — whether it was a fake or genuine encounter — should come out. Plus, we are also curious to know whether civilians are being killed as suspected Maoists,” said Swami Agnivesh on Monday, adding, “After Mr Chidambaram refused to hold a judicial inquiry into Azad’s death, I met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on July 22. Though he had assured that a judicial probe would be carried out, nothing has been done till now.”