Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) Accusing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of being unwilling for talks, the Maoists have demanded a written commitment from the government on peace initiatives.
‘Going by Banerjee’s speech Oct 15 (in Junglemahal), we sincerely doubt her commitment towards peace talks. In this regard, we want the government to inform us in writing about its stand on the peace talks,’ state secretary of the Communist Party of India-Maoists (CPI-Maoist) Akash said in an open letter.
The letter has been addressed to activist Sujato Bhadra, who heads the team of interlocutors appointed by the government to initiate dialogue with the guerrillas.
On her visit to Junglemahal (Maoist affected forested areas of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura districts) Oct 15, Banerjee had given the Maoists a seven-day ultimatum to choose between dialogue and arms.
She also said the government had initiated the peace process by halting the action by joint security forces in the area, but the extremists ‘failed to reciprocate and have continued bloodshed’.
The letter accused Banerjee of lying and said the operation by the forces has continued unabated.
The Maoists also alleged that the Trinamool Congress has raised an army of goons, called the ‘Bhairav Vahini’, which was torturing villagers.
‘We are committed to maintaining peace in Junglemahal, but Banerjee instead of keeping her pre-poll promise of withdrawing the forces, is using them to hunt us. Unless they work for the Bhairav Vahini, or aid the forces against us, we assure no Trinamool Congress worker will be harmed,’ Akash added.
CPI-Maoist also denied giving death threats to Banerjee or any other leader of her party.
