WB govt always ready for talks: Mamata to Maoists

Kolkata: A day after Union Home Minister P Chidamabaram’s comment that talks could be held with Maoists in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today 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. [caption id=“attachment_38225” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Mamata Banerjee in this file photo. Reuters.”]  [/caption] 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 “The joint forces will be withdrawn from Junglemahal once it is free from arms and peace is restored,” Banerjee said. Yesterday, 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