Buddha pill: Welfare & hot pursuit

MIDNAPORE/DEBRA: Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has unveiled a two-pronged strategy to pull Jangalmahal out of the doldrums target Maoists at full tilt and push ahead with development projects in the tribal belt.
On the second day of his visit to Midnapore, Bhattacharjee on Sunday prepared "a blueprint for offensive" with senior officials of the Maoist-affected districts of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura, ruling out any talks till they drop arms.At the same time, the chief minister distanced the state's offensive from Operation Greenhunt.
The chief minister also assured that schools occupied by central forces and police would be vacated by November 15.
"We are going to intensify operations. We are getting precise information on Maoist activities and movement with the aid of central agencies and have prepared a blueprint to counter them. We are very much on the offensive and our political will is our strength," the CM said at a press conference.
Since June, central paramilitary forces and state police have been engaged in joint operations against the Maoists. Though the killing spree has continued unabated, Bhattacharjee is satisfied with the operation so far. The number of policemen will be increased in the area and a review of arms and ammunition available is being made.
"The situation is under control. Most roads have been freed and are now held by joint forces. Our next target is the villages and forests where Maoists are hiding," he said.
Bhattacharjee also clarified that Operation Greenhunt will not be carried out in Bengal. "It is for other Maoist-affected states. I have clarified this with the Union home minister P Chidambaram. He knows we are capable of taking on the Maoists with the help of central forces," Bhattacharjee said.
Knowing well that Central assistance would be of great help to combat Maoists, Bhattacharjee appeared to iron out differences with Chidambaram. He appeared keen on leaving behind the snubs from Chidambaram. "I can't explain where we agree, where we differ. This is not the time. We must work together to take on Maoists. I agree with the Prime Minister that Maoists are the biggest threat to the country," Bhattacharjee said.
Later in the day, addressing a rally at Debra, 45 km from Midnapore town, Bhattacharjee took a dig at Trinamool Congress which has been demanding withdrawal of central forces from Lalgarh. "The Centre thinks that Maoists are the biggest security threat, but Trinamool doesn't. In Salboni, Goaltore, Garbeta Trinamool is working in tandem with Maoists. Who had stopped the Rajdhani Express? Are they ashamed of naming their friends, so gave no names in the FIR?" Bhattacharjee asked.
He blamed the Maoists and the People's Committee against Police Atrocities for vitiating the villages. "They are teaching villagers to extort money."
The CM asked officials in the Maoist-affected districts to speed up work. "Frequent strikes are disrupting the development process. The BPL list is being updated and will be ready by December," he said.