'I have my own views on Operation Green Hunt. I have not given any advice to the state government. Yes, I had discussions with the chief minister,' said MK Narayanan.
West Bengal governor, MK Narayanan today said he had not given any advice to the state government on Operation Green Hunt, though he had talks with chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee about the February 15 Maoist attack on the Eastern Frontier Rifles camp at Shilda.
"I have my own views on Operation Green Hunt. I have not given any advice to the state government. Yes, I had discussions with the chief minister (after the attack)," Narayanan, former National Security Adviser, told reporters after a visit to the EFR's 3rd battalion headquarters here.
He declined to comment on Maoist leader Kishenji's offer to the government for talks, saying he was not aware of the background of the offer. "I don't know if (Kishenji's offer) is for 72 hours or 72 days. So I cannot speak."
Narayanan, who arrived here from Kolkata this morning accompanied by DGP (Armed Forces) Partha Bhattacharya, met the families of the EFR personnel. During his visit that lasted
till noon, he was also closeted with EFR officials.
Narayanan said he had not made any effort in assessing the post-attack situation.
"Yes, I met the officers and learnt about the incident. I met the family members. They talked about employment opportunities, better security at the camps and better positioning of the camps. The officers here, including the district magistrate and SP, also agreed on these issues," the governor said.
Saying he was visiting Salua in a spirit of "atonement", Narayanan pointed out, "It is very heart-rending for me, particularly as I was a policeman all my life. This is a moment of great tragedy for us. We lost 24 personnel (in the Shilda attack."
On his arrival from Kolkata, the governor paid floral tributes at the martyrs' memorial.
Special IG (EFR) Benoy Chakraborty, who had criticised the state government following the Shilda attack for alleged negligence in providing adequate security for police camps set up in Maoist-infested areas, was with the Governor during his visit.
Interestingly, Chakraborty was not seen during the governor's interaction with the press.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}