Kolkata:
A day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee gave the Maoists a seven-day ultimatum to lay down arms, the Left ultras today hit back, accusing her of reneging on her promises.
The Peoples Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA), a front organisation for the Maoists, has accused the Chief Minister of going back on her promise of stopping operations against them by Central forces and release of political prisoners.
There has been no direct response from the Maoists, though, to Ms Banerjee's ultimatum. Instead, some Maoist posters found near Salboni in West Midnapore district said, "Talks cannot continue along with joint force operations...political prisoners must be released...beware of 'jungle mafia' or you may face ultimate punishment."
The latest threat comes after Ms Banerjee, at a rally in Jhargram on Saturday, indulged in some tough talk, calling the Maoists as jungle mafia and 'supari' killers (contract killers). Slamming the Maoists for continuing their killing spree despite the government halting operations against them, she warned the rebels to shun violence.
"There have been no joint force operations in the last 3-4 months. I thought that would bring peace. But no, people have been gunned down...I am giving you (Maoists) a seven-day ultimatum to lay down guns. Think over it. We will not tolerate any more violence. Killings and negotiations cannot go hand in hand", Ms Banerjee had said.
This is by far the strongest position that Ms Banerjee has taken against the Maoists since assuming office as Chief Minister. The Trinamool Congress chief has, thus far, been sympathetic towards the Maoists, even having promised withdrawal of Central forces before the assembly elections this year.
The Left, meanwhile, seized upon the opportunity, sarcastically reminding the Chief Minister that she was once said that there were no Maoists in Junglemahal in the state - an area known to be one of the strongholds of the Red rebels.
"The Chief Minister should admit that she has committed a mistake. This is a political issue that has to be fought politically. They had a pact during the campaign against the Left parties. Now they have started talking about negotiations", CPM Politburo member Biman Bose said.
Maoist sympathisers too now have pointed out that Ms Banerjee has remained mum on the pre-poll promises that she made to the Maoists.