Buddha rules out talks with Maoists

There was no possibility of holding talks with Maoists or tribal group PCPA, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee said on Sunday even as he maintained that law and order in Naxal-infested Lalgarh and adjacent areas has improved but more work needs to be done.

Bhattacharjee, who met top civil and police officials of Naxal-hit West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts, also alleged that opposition Trinamool Congress and some NGOs were hand-in-glove with the Maoists and said it was "pathetic" that a major party was having "links" with a banned group.

"There is no possibility of speaking with the Maoists or the PCPA. They must lay down their arms and abjure violence and that is the primary condition set by the Centre," he told reporters when asked if the government will talk to Naxalites.

To a question whether West Bengal is part of any joint anti-Maoist operation, Bhattacharjee, who was winding up his two-day visit to West Midnapore, said, "The operation does not cover West Bengal. It is for the other three states. We can
handle the problem all by ourselves.

 "We had asked for additional forces and six companies have been sent which is enough to control the Maoists."
Bhattacharjee said the law and order situation at Lalgarh and its adjacent areas has improved considerably, but keeping in view the recent Maoist attacks, security has been strengthened.