Shortly after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared her government’s intention of opening a dialogue with Maoists in Jangalmahal, the Communist Party of India (Maoist) led by Bikram reciprocated the offer with the rider that Sudip Chongdar, Himadri Sen Roy and Patit Paban Halder, three former secretaries of the party now behind bars should be released to participate in talks with the state’s intermediaries. The Maoists have already agreed to maintain a ceasefire though no official declaration has been made. On June 4, the state government had formed a committee headed by retired Calcutta High Court Judge Malay Sengupta to review the release of political prisoners on a case-by-case basis. The Committee will furnish the names of the first batch of political prisoners to be set free on July 18. It appears that Chongdar, Sen Roy and Halder are unlikely to be on the first list. Chongdar and Sen Roy will perhaps be released soon as they have the status of political prisoners. Halder’s case is different as he has been convicted by a court. A Civil Society team is fighting for his release.
Progress seems to be on the same lines as the peace initiative to bring ULFA leaders to talks in Assam. But the Centre and the state government held talks with ULFA Chairman Arabinda Rajkhawa and others in jail. It is not clear whether Maoists in Jangalmahal will talk to the West Bengal government unless the leaders they have named are released. They claim they have been maintaining ceasefire but the West Bengal government should insist on an official declaration. Otherwise, they may go back on their verbal commitment. Along with ceasefire, they should be asked to surrender their arms. The modalities have to be worked out. The Maoists in West Bengal will have to sever their links with their counterparts in other states. Mamata Banerjee has promised a lot of sops but one may wonder whether her promise can be fulfilled soon. Meanwhile, unrest may continue. The focus should be on the development of exploited and socially backward tribals in the region and not just on keeping Maoists out of combat.