Author: Statesman News Service
Publication: The Statesman
Date: November 4, 2011
URL: http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=388918&catid=35
[Note from the Hindu Vivek Kendra: Please
see our comment after the article.]
Chief minister Miss Mamata Banerjee, who had
given a call to Maoists in Junglemahal to lay down arms and hold talks, today
issued a stern warning to the ultras saying the peace initiative should not
be mistaken for weakness.
"For the last four months, joint security force operations have been
suspended (in Junglemahal) and the government is carrying on the peace initiative
unilaterally, but our patience should not be mistaken for weakness,"
she said in an interview to a TV channel.
With Trinamul Congress worker Jitu Singh of
Ghatbera village in Balarampur, Purulia being the latest victim of Maoists,
the chief minister said: "Some people believe in bloodshed. If this continues,
we will have to take measures because the rule of law should prevail."
Trinamul worker Singh was kidnapped last night
from his residence in Ghatbera village. His body was found beside a pond near
his house today. Police said Singh was dragged out from his house last night
by a group of goons. Locals said he was previously a Congress supporter and
had recently joined the Trinamul. Last night around 10.30, he was called up
by some unidentified people who forcefully took him away. Early this morning,
local people found his body near the pond with strangulation marks around
his throat. A Maoist poster was recovered from the site. The poster alleged
that he was punished for his anti-social activities in the area. Two local
youths, Sambhu Singh and Dayal Razak, were detained in connection with the
death. The body was being taken to Kolkata for Miss Banerjee to pay her condolences.
Mr Santiram Mahato, state self-help and self-employment minister, had taken
the body to the city. Alleging that CPI-M "harmads" (armed cadres)
were hand in glove with Maoists in perpetrating violence, killings and atrocities,
Miss Banerjee also said: "I will not tolerate this and have told the
police to be strict and, if needed, to take action."
She claimed that Maoists were finding support
from some political leaders and academicians in Kolkata. "Some political
leaders of Behala and some professors of Jadavpur University are providing
support to Maoists and spreading rumours against the government," she
alleged.
She said that a former superintendent of police
in a Maoist-hit area "under whose leadership CPI-M cadres conducted operations",
was not being given a posting for the last four months.
Earlier in the day, there was tension inside
the Jadavpur University campus when five Maoist posters were found on the
walls of the administrative building and the union room of non-teaching staffs
association today.
The posters were recovered by the students and handed over to the university
authority. "The posters demanded withdrawal of the joint force from Junglemahal,"
added a university officials.
As the news spreads, the supporters of Trinamul
Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCCP) demonstrated near the 8B bus stand and later
submitted a deputation to the VC. Mr Pradip Narayan Ghosh, the VC said: "the
supporters of TMCCP demanded installation of CCTVs in the campus. We will
seriously discuss take up the matter."
Meanwhile, security forces in Jhargram today arrested three pro-Maoist activists
including Joydev Mahato, spokesperson of People's Committee against Police
Atrocities (PCPA) from their hideouts at Khutali in Jhargram.
Mr Alok Rajoria, additional superintendent
of police said, "acting on a tip-off, security forces conducted a raid
at Khutalia where Joydev and his two associates identified as Santanu Mahato
and Apurba Mahato were hiding. Joydev was wanted in at least 10 cases including
murder, rioting, abduction and sedition."
Mr Rajoria also said that among the murders,
Joydev has been accused in the killing of Prabodh Mahato of Ghritakham. He
has link with Maoists and two associates have direct links with PCPA. The
three accused will be produced in Jhargram court tomorrow.
--------------------------
Comment
The Chief Minister has alleged that "some
professors of Jadavpur University are providing support to Maoists and spreading
rumours against the government." Clearly these professors can be said
to be abetting the violence against the society. Should they not be appropriately
charged?
She also said "a former superintendent
of police in a Maoist-hit area "under whose leadership CPI-M cadres conducted
operations", was not being given a posting for the last four months."
Surely this cannot be
an isolated case. It is well-known how well the administration machineryt
has allowed itself to be co-opted by the Marxist government.
