Calling upon the people in the Maoist-hit Jangalmahal not to get scared, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday asked them to help her government carry out development work in the area, as four Maoists surrendered in her presence.
“I am not scared of anyone. I have come to this position through continuous struggle. I am always with the poor. I am here. If anyone wants to kill me, he can shoot me. I am not afraid,” she said daring the Maoists in their backyard.
In an obvious reference to previous Left Front government, Ms. Banerjee said, “No Chief Minister or minister had spent night in Jangalmahal after the Maoist menace. I have visited Jangalmahal four times in seven months. I have spent a night here. I wanted to see with my own eyes the prevailing situation as well as the beauty of the place”.
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She urged the villagers to cooperate with the process of development initiated by her government and maintain peace.
She was speaking at the concluding programme of Youth festival on the occasion of birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
Four Maoists surrendered before the Chief Minister on the stage.
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Those who surrendered were Lambodar Majhi, Karan Kaibarta of Baghmundi in Purulia, Bhajahari Mahato and Sukhdev Mahato.
The Chief Minister also gave rehabilitation package offered by the state government to 11 Maoists who had surrendered earlier. They included Rajaram Soren, Jagari Baske besides, Durjodhan Rajowar, Aatreyi Sahis, Rabi Mandi, Malini Hansda, Baburam Murmu, Rabi Mandi, Dhiren Soren, Laxmi Mandi and Prakash Acharya.
Taking a dig at the CPI(M), Ms. Banerjee said, “Those who had not done anything for the development of the region or the state are now busy in spreading canards against our government out of jealousy.”