NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Monday strongly criticised the landmine attack on the convoy of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and Union Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan in West Midnapore district and accused the Maoists of targetting the party's cadre.
The two leaders were returning after the foundation stone laying ceremony of a private steel plant in Salboni area of West Midnapore when their convoy came under attack Sunday afternoon. They escaped but six police personnel in a pilot jeep were injured seriously.
The CPI-M politburo said: "The Maoists have targeted the chief minister and have killed a number of CPI-M cadre and activists recently."
Describing the Maoists as "disruptive elements who are inimical to the interests of the people and the development of the state", the CPI-M said firm action should be taken against such forces.
"The Maoists have opposed the setting up of a steel plant at Salboni," the CPI-M said.