We have restored peace in Junglemahal, claims Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who will complete a year in office on May 20, has claimed that her government has been able to restore peace in Junglemahal with not a single death reported so far this year.

Citing statistics, the chief minister told PTI that in 2010-11 when the Left Front government was still in power in the state, 139 civilians and 35 security personnel were killed in Junglemahal which comprises West Midnapur, Purulia and Bankura districts.

"We have been able to restore peace in Junglemahal. There were only 12 civilian and two security personnel casualties after we came to power, with no death reported since January this year till date," the Trinamool Congress supremo said.

Several feared Maoist leaders including Jagori Baskey and Suchitra Mahato have surrendered to the chief minister following the death of their top leader Kishenji, while Banerjee has taken personal initiative to visit the area several times after coming to power to announce development projects and schemes for tribals.

"We have brought all tribal families under the BPL category enabling them to avail of the Rs 2 per kg rice scheme while 10,700 youths were being recruited in police," she said.

On Singur where her government had promised to return land to farmers who unwillingly parted with their land, she said that this would be done as promised, but the matter was pending in court.

Pointing out that she had cleared 16 projects for Bengal as railway minister, she said the railway project to manufacture components for diesel and electric engines at Dankuni in Hooghly district would take off within two to three days.

The chief minister claimed that what she had done for the state in one year had never been achieved earlier.

On support to farmers to grow more crops, Banerjee said, seven lakh Kisan credits cards have been given, while kisan

bazars were being set up in the PPP model in 341 blocs.

For the first time 20 lakh tonne of paddy has been procured at MSP against cheque payment to farmers, she added.

Speaking about the promise to release political prisoners, Banerjee said a state level review committee was formed for review the cases.

"The committee has recommended release of 52 political prisoners of whom 40 have been released."

She said that politically motivated cases especially in Nandigram and Singur, have been identified and recommendation for withdrawal have already been implemented in many cases.

"In addition, 42 prisoners who were behind bars for over 18 years have been released," she said.

On fresh investment in the state, she said Rs 95,000 crore in investment is in the pipeline. There were new employment opportunities too.

 "15 crores jobs were created in MGNREGA. Three lakh job opportunities were created in the private sector and industries. 2.75 lakh job opportunities were created in the government sector," she said.

She said that 33 days work has been assured under the 100-day guaranteed work scheme. Under the previous CPI(M) government, this was only 18 days, the chief minister said.

Banerjee said of the 65 all women police stations planned, 10 have already been set up, while 19 human rights courts and six CBI courts have been established.