Mamata sets 7-day deadline for Maoists to lay down arms

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday set a seven-day deadline for Maoists to lay down their arms, saying violence would not be tolerated any more.

"I am giving you (Maoists) a seven-day ultimatum to lay down guns. Think over it. We will not tolerate any more violence. Killings and negotiations cannot go hand in hand," she told a rally in Jhargram.

"They (Maoists) do not pursue any 'ism', they have no ideals. They are 'supari' killers, jungle mafia. People hate violence. We initiated the peace process. We will continue the negotiations, but you (the rebels) have to lay down arms," she said.

Condemning killings by Maoists and gunning down of two Trinamool Congress leaders in the Maoist-hit region of Junglemahal recently, Banerjee said, "We have started the peace process, stopped joint operations for over four months, expecting peace to return. But they (Maoists) have not kept their word and continued the killing spree."

She said if peace returned to Junglemahal, there would be no need of joint security operations.

Asking the Maoists what they wanted, the chief minister said, "Tell me what you want? We will give you schools, colleges, roads, jobs, everything. The door for dialogue is still open. We want a solution through negotiations but we will not tolerate any more violence."

Holding up the three-month-old baby of slain TC leader Lalmohan Mahato, Banerjee said, "We do not want any more mothers to lose their children. I will never compromise with peace. Development is another name for peace."

Daring Maoists to come into the open instead of indulging in killings under the cover of darkness, she said, "You want to kill Mamata Banerjee? Tell me where you want to kill me. There will be no policemen with me."

On the Maoists threatening the people against availing government assistance like rice and foodgrains, she said, "Don't be afraid of some goondas. We will not allow this to take place anymore. Development can't come through terrorism."

Urging Maoists to return to the mainstream, Banerjee said, "We will give protection to those returning to normal life. We will give them jobs, monthly pension and benefits under other schemes."

Announcing a number of development projects for Junglemahal, she said if development starts taking place in the region, Maoists will be gradually alienated from the masses.