Making good her promise of a special package for three Maoist-hit districts of Junglemahal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today arrived here bringing a slew of development projects and an appeal to Naxals to fight for the country.
"There will no longer be bloodshed and gunbattles in Junglemahal. If those fighting with guns against their own brothers had fought for the country, it would have benefitted the country and those who they are fighting for," Banerjee told a public meeting here in West Midnapore district without naming the ultras. "Instead what they are doing is hindering development. If you (Maoists) cooperate, I will be able to work for the development of entire Junglemahal," she said. She appealed to Maoists in West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia, districts which make up 'Junglemahal,' to rejoin the mainstream.
"Those who take up guns are weak and don't win. It is the peace-loving people who eventually emerge as the winner," she said. Banerjee, who had campaigned vigorously for their withdrawal from Junglemahal in the runup to the May Assembly elections, indicated that the central paramilitary forces would stay on.
"The joint forces will not harm people. The joint forces will not act against the innocent. Those doing no wrong have nothing to fear from the joint forces," Banerjee said. "I want people to return to their homes and not hide in jungles. I want the police to treat the people with respect. There may be one or two bad elements, but most are good people. We don't want people to go astray. We want them to lead a good life and the present government will ensure this," she said.
"Do you know how many times I have been attacked with guns? I have never been afraid. Guns have gone away, but I have remained. So don't be afraid. If you remain together there is nothing to be afraid of," she said. Delivering the healing touch, Banerjee said that compensation of Rs one lakh each would be given to women who were victims of atrocities by the police in 2008. Maoists had set off a landmine at Salboni in the district when former Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was returning in a convoy in November of 2008. Subsequent police raids began triggering protests leading to the formation of the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities and the start of the problems in Junglemahal. Unveiling development projects the Chief Minister announced setting up of schools, colleges, hospitals, vocation training centres, besides assuring adequate food, jobs and old age pension for the people of Junglemahal. "In three months, 10,000 jobs will be given to youths in the police and allied forces besides 1 800 jobs to Santhali youths who have studied the Alchiki language," she said. Banerjee announced a package of Rs 125 crore for development of health infrastructure for the region, with Rs 85 crore this fiscal and the remaining Rs 40 crore in the next.
Banerjee announced that two kg of rice per week would be given to families with an income of less than Rs 42,000 per annum. Food would be distributed from police camps, police stations and BDO offices. She announced that Jhargram Sub-divisional hospital would be upgraded to a district hospital and 36 new primary health centres would be set up apart from betterment of existing ones. She also announced training institutes for vocational training for the establishment of which Rs 20 crore would be given to each of the three districts.
Another Rs 112 crore would be spent for drinking water supply over the next 30 months. She announced cycles for girls studying in class IX to XII in three months and to boys later.
