Mamata Banerjee alleges mass murder in Midnapore, demands CBI inquiry

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today claimed that armed CPI(M) cadres, with the help of the joint forces, committed mass murder in some villages of Maoist-hit West Midnapore district and demanded a CBI probe.

"I have confirmed reports that 8-10 innocent persons of Badarmoni and adjoining villages under Binpur police station were massacred by armed CPI(M) cadres on September 25, 26 and 27 with the help of joint forces in the name of anti-Maoist operations," Banerjee told reporters here.

She said she has informed Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee about the issue.

She claimed the death toll might be in the range of 50 to 60 as per statements by villagers while many were missing. 

"CPI(M) has been capturing areas and has set up 200-220 camps with the help of the joint forces in junglemahal and district SP Manoj Verma has been assisting them by supplying them police arms," she alleged and demanded a CBI inquiry. 

The Centre, she said, could not remain 'silent' to such incidents. "If such incidents had taken place in Gujarat, there would have been a hue and cry. Why it is not so in West Bengal?"

Noting that she had come to know of the 'mass murders' while returning from Darjeeling, the railways minister said "Nandigram had witnessed genocide a few years ago and bodies were thrown into Haldi river." 

Urging the media to collect reports from the villagers which were attacked, Banerjee said, "I have cross checked the incident from different levels by some agencies."

Asked for comment, the West Midnapore superintendent of police said, "What can I say? You should ask the person who has made the allegation."

He said that on September 25, a CRPF man and a Maoist had been killed in an encounter at Badarmoni. 

Demanding the withdrawal of the joint forces so that 'the CPI(M) could not derive benefit from their presence', Banerjee said, "I have expressed my fear to the prime minister about this."

Alleging that the state government was misusing constitutional machinery in Maoist-hit areas by terrorising villagers with the help of the joint forces, she said she feared a 'CPI(M) onslaught' during Diwali.

She also alleged that the minister for Paschimanchal affairs was organising supari killers at the directive of the chief minister.

"I would like to warn the state government not to play with fire. If necessary, I will camp at jungalmahal even during the Durga pujas," she said, adding she would send a delegation of intellectuals there. 

Banerjee also urged the Centre for beginning immediate talks with the Maoists. 

"The Centre should take the responsibility to initiate dialogue with Maoists who should abjure violence till it begins. Centre can take its own course to deal with them," she said.