WB govt always ready for talks: Mamata to Maoists

MAMATA-MAOISTS
Kolkata, Jul 7 (PTI) A day after Union Home Minister P
Chidamabaram's comment that talks could be held with Maoists
in Eastern Indian state West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata
Banerjee Thursday gave a call to the ultras to lay down arms,
saying her government was 'always ready' for talks.
"The government will not act in a revengeful manner
and is always ready for talks. Those willing to surrender will
be offered rehabilitation and a special package," the chief
minister told reporters.
Announcing a seven-point joint declaration with the
Citizen's Forum, a conglomerate of social and human rights
organisations, she said "arms have to be surrendered by all in
West Bengal, including Junglemahal and the state government
will take steps to recover arms.
Stating that the government would ensure an
environment free from terror and fear, she warned 'those
creating fear' against development work.
"The joint forces will be withdrawn from Junglemahal
once it is free from arms and peace is restored," Banerjee
said.
Wednesday, Chidamabaram had said that he had been told
by the state DGP that the level of violence had come down to
nearly zero and there were perhaps suggestions that some kind
of talks could take place.
She said the allegations of atrocities by the people
living in Junglemahal against the erstwhile Left Front
government would be investigated.
Calling for democracy to prevail in Junglemahal, she
said: "The government will take steps to ensure safety and
security of life. The right of the jungle should remain with
the people living there."
The government would make arrangements for food,
housing, clothing, education and employment opportunities for
the people in Junglemahal to restore their socio-economic,
democratic and cultural status, Banerjee said. PTI AKB
KAP