Date:13/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/13/stories/2006041305421100.htm

National

Buddhadeb plan to tackle Maoists

Special Correspondent

Economic steps in affected areas mulled

Maoist movements must be defeated "politically and ideologically"
ULFA help for militants in North Bengal worrying development

Weak Opposition due to Left Front's success

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said here on Wednesday that if returned to power, the Left Front Government would approach the Maoist problem in a two-pronged manner: by increased policing and by stepping up socio-economic measures in the affected areas.

Participating in a meet-the-press programme at the Press Club here, he said, "To tackle armed Maoists, tough policing will have to be done." Mr. Bhattacharjee said the affected areas were also backward. The Left Front would focus on sectors such as irrigation, health, water, sanitation and development of forest resources to improve the people's lives. Reminiscing about the Naxalbari movement, which had originated in West Bengal, he said it was necessary to "defeat these `movements' politically and ideologically."

He said his Government was increasingly concerned about the support of the United Liberation Front of Asom for separatist movements in North Bengal. On the issue of illegal infiltration, Mr. Bhattacharjee said he urged the Prime Minister to help stop this. Any illegal entrant from Bangladesh, whether Hindu or Muslim, was an infiltrator, he said.

On the Opposition parties in West Bengal, he said that while it was true they were in a somewhat sorry condition, their failure was primarily because of the Left Front Government's success. However, Mr. Bhattacharjee said he did not want an Opposition-less Legislature. "It is not good for governance."

On The Hindu-CNN-IBN poll, Mr. Bhattacharjee said that even as he was apprehensive about the scientific basis and methodology of such polls, its results were encouraging. "But I have doubts about the number of seats shown," he smiled.

He said that the Government at the Centre had done a good job on many fronts such as job-guarantee and rural health. Although it had made a mistake in its deal with the United States, the Left parties' support would still not be withdrawn.

If voted back to power, the Government would have new faces, Mr. Bhattacharjee said. Priority would be given to maintaining and revving up the momentum in IT and manufacturing industries, consolidating the success in agriculture and improving the quality of life of people below the poverty line.