January 12, 2012
CM to spend two-nights in Jangal Mahal, Maoists surrenders in Jhargram
“I have come again to Jangal Mahal to interact with you all. My major concern is the development of the region and we are undertaking numerous projects towards development which did not happen in past 35-years of Left Front rule. I thank you for maintaining peace and harmony in the region, those who will surrender and abandon arms will be given incentives”, these were the words of West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee during a rally at Jhargram Stadium. The chief Minister is on a tour to Jangal Mahal to attend the ‘Jangal Mahal Festival’ from January 10 to 12.
West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee reached Jhargram a day before the rally as she wanted to take stock at the development work in the area after her instructions during her last visit to Jangal Mahal. Ms. Mamata Banerjee is the first Chief Minister who spent a night in Jhargram after the insurgency as none of her predecessors had dared to even stay late following the terror threat. On the contrary she did not hesitate to move around and interact with the people. Ms. Banerjee stayed at Jhargram Rajbari. On reaching the place as usual she keeping the protocol aside and in spite of the security cover got down from her car and asked the people gather to have a glimpse of their favourite Didi. “How are you, I hope you all are fine. Are you all enjoying the festival”, asked Didi who later went inside the Rajbari where she stayed the night.
“All I want is for people to believe in us,” she said. “Trinamool Congress will not accept any cut money. I will continue to work for the poor. And I will never grab land forcibly”, said the Chief Minister. The biggest highlight of the festival was the surrender of the four Maoist activists – Lombodar Majhi (the Dolma Squad member wanted in nearly 20-cases), Bhojohori Mahato, son of Judhisthir Mahato, Karan Koiborto and Sukhdeb Mahato. Rajaram Soren, Jagari Baske and Judhisthir Mahato who had surrender recently. Apart from them, also present were Rabi Mandi, Malini Hazda and Baburam Murmu. Ms. Banerjee too kept her word and gave away compensation that the state government promised. Ms. Banerjee during her speech retreated that her government is serious regarding the development in Jangal Mahal and she will not compromise on anything when it comes to Jangal Mahal. “I never tell a lie. I have fought all my life like a tiger cub. Whatever you (the media) write, whatever you say will not touch me. Neither will it deter me from my path. I am not scared of struggle. When I said I will do it, I will. But I’m not God. Whatever little I could do, I have done", said Ms. Banerjee.
Later in the evening Ms. Banerjee went to Digha to inspect the preparation on the eve of the Digha Beach Festival starting from January 13. From Digha she paid a surprise visit to Mandarmani and took stock of the situation. She reiterated her stand on the encroachment by the hoteliers and restaurants and requested them to come to a negotiation as she will listen to their problems but at the same time they too will have to cooperate with the state government. “I have come here to listen to problems and I can assure you that we will try to solve the problems which you face but I also expect that you will not indulge in encroachment as this will help in beautification of the beaches”, added Ms. Mamata Banerjee who will be inaugurating the Digha Beach Festival at 4 PM on Friday.
