No withdrawal of joint forces: Buddha

He said that until and unless the Maoists are contained absolutely the joint forces will continue their operation in Jungalmahal.

At a time when Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is almost everyday demanding the withdrawal of joint forces from the Naxal-hit areas,Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Thursday made it clear in the Assembly that theres no possibility of withdrawal of joint forces from the Maoists-affected places. He said that until and unless the Maoists are contained absolutely the joint forces will continue their operation in Jungalmahal.

The CMs view on the need for joint forces came a day after Mamatas remark that the forces were helping the ruling party cadres and if her view was proved wrong she was ready to quit the UPA government. Mamata has been insisting on the withdrawal of the Central forces since their deployment at Lalgarh in June 2009.

Addressing a question raised by Manas Bhuinya,leader of Congress Legislature Party,the CM said the Centre was aware of the development in three Jungalmahal districts of Bankura,Purulia and West Midnapore. The Maoists are a threat to six states,not just Bengal. Unless they are tackled in Jharkhand and Orissa ,the menace cant be contained.

Story continues below this ad

Bhuinya,without naming Mamata,asked the CM that there are allegations that the Central forces are being used in the interest of the CPM. The CM replied: I will be happy if you can give me specific case about CPM camp in Jungalmahal. These allegations are baseless.

On Thursday,Mamata reiterated her allegation that the Central forces were being misused by the CPM to kill TMC cadres. For some strange reason they have started calling us Maoists. The CPM is facing resistance for the first time from us. If you resist,you are branded a Maoist,and CPM has suddenly become Gandhian, she said.

Trump announces TikTok deal, surprise China visit ‘early next year’ after call with Xi

World9 hr ago

Trump and Xi had a successful phone call, addressing trade, Fentanyl, and TikTok. They plan to meet at APEC Summit and for Trump to visit China, with Xi visiting the US. Congress wants TikTok to sell its US assets or shut down, but Trump has not enforced this due to the app's value and progress.

View all shorts

Live Blog