In protest against Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram's proposed visit to Lalgarh in West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district, the Maoist-backed Police Santrash Birodhi Janasadharaner Committee (PSBJC) held demonstrations in various parts of the Jangalmahal area on Friday.
Mr. Chidambaram plans to go to Lalgarh for a three-and-half-hour visit on Sunday.
“Mr. Chidambaram is not coming here in the interest of the common people and so we observed protests and will continue to do so,” said PSBJC spokesman Asit Mahato.
The Minister offered the option of peaceful talks with Maoists, who are leading an armed rebellion against the State, but a similar gesture was not made to the PSBJC, Mr. Mahato said.
The PSBJC has been spearheading an agitation against alleged police atrocities in Lalgarh and adjoining areas since November 2008. Its military wing, Sidhu Kanu Gana Militia, was raised in October last.
“Disband camps”
“Before Mr. Chidambaram comes here, he must ensure that the camps of Communist Party of India (Marxist) cadres who are trying to force an entry into the area using illegal arms are disbanded,” he said.
