Mamata welcome to Jungle Mahal without police: Kishenji

Rejecting Mamata Banerjee's call to lay down arms before talks, elusive Maoist leader Kishenji on Monday said the Trinamool Congress chief was "welcome without the police".

"If you want to come to Jungle Mahal for talks without bringing the police you are always welcome," Kishenji said in an open letter to the Trinamool leader, who on January 15 at Jhargram had given Maoists seven days ultimatum to hold talks or she would go on padayatras in Naxal-hit areas.

On her demand that Maoists give up arms before talks, Kishenji disagreed saying, "If the Central government or a political party gives a proposal to lay down arms and sit for talks that is not possible. Giving up arms is not on our agenda."

Addressing the TC supremo as 'didi' (sister), he said, "No talks are possible within the agenda of UPA (United Progressive Alliance) or the TC policy. You need to adopt a new agenda so that Maoists can speak to you."

Apparently referring to Banerjee's plea that she was making the request with folded hands and was even willing to touch their feet, he accused her of following a carrot and stick policy.

"First you accused us and then tried to pacify us which is not right," the Maoist leader said.

Asserting that the movement in Nandigram against Social Economic Zones by Maoists had shown the path to farmers and workers, Kishenji said, "We want to continue our movement in that way."

He said if her agenda was to speak to the people of the area, "Help the people in agriculture and ensure that they can get their daily meal."

Stating that there were 24 hospitals constructed with the 'people's money' in Jungle Mahal comprising West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts, he claimed that the joint forces on anti-Maoist operations were not allowing them to function.