KOLKATA: Five months after an alleged Maoist-led agitation against a power grid in Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal claimed 2 lives in police firing and sparked a blockade, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday asked Bhangar to stay away from Maoists and come to the negotiation table.
Speaking at a public rally at Bhangar on Monday while dedicating 18,000 rural roads spanning 25,000 km throughout West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress supremo asked residents of Bhangar to surrender their weapons that she claimed were amassed during the movement or face search operations. “I know there are weapons in the villages.
The Maoists click pictures of you cutting off roads and up in the arms to garner monetary aid from sympathisers abroad. Did you get anything? That is why I am urging you to stay away from the Maoists and denounce them. They are not going to help you, but I will,” the CM said.