Jhargram (West Bengal): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday gave a seven-day ultimatum to Maoist rebels in the state to choose between dialogue and arms, while she announced a slew of infrastructure and development projects for the Junglemahal region.
Asserting that politics of murder and negotiations cannot go together, Banerjee said soon after coming to power in May, her government sought peace, but the ultras did not stop bloodshed.
“We have started the peace process. There has been no joint security forces’ operation for the last four months. We thought that will help. But we saw murders. Why? We say we want peace. “In democracy, negotiations can always continue. We are not in favour of stopping negotiations. But you have to leave arms. Stop threatening the people,” Banerjee said, talking tough.
“I am giving you seven days’ time. Think over this. If you want a peaceful solution to the problem, no issues. We want the doors of negotiations to be open. This is a last chance. Bloodshed and negotiations cannot go together,” the chief minister said addressing a largely attended rally at the Jhargram stadium of West Midnapore district.
She called upon the people of the area to join forces against the Maoists.
“People should come forward and rally against them (Maoists). They come from outside, use supari killers to murder people. They only make money at the point of the gun.”
Banerjee had time and again claimed as an opposition leader that there were no Maoists in the state, and even adopted a soft approach towards the ultras after coming to power. She also appointed a team of interlocutors which have held discussions with Maoist leaders to pave the way for talks between the guerrillas and the government.
However, Banerjee hardened her stand after a series of killings by the left radicals since late August.
The chief minister said people, and not guns, always have the final say in democracy.
Taking the baby of a Trinamool Congress activist Lalmohan Mahato, who was recently killed by the ultras, in her lap, she said: “What is the future for this child? What is the future for its mother, a widow? What is the future for other widows, other families killed by them?” (IANS)