Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, for the first time, hit out at controversial IPS officer Bharati Ghosh asking surrendered Maoists of the Junglemahal districts against taking instructions from ‘former police officers’. Without naming Ms Ghosh, Miss Banerjee reportedly said: “Don’t listen to the police officers who were earlier deputed in these areas. Instead go to the officers who are presently posted there.

They would listen to you and provide help and guidance.” She was addressing the surrendered Maoists at a coordination meeting that was held in Nabanna on Monday. Ms Ghosh, who was posted as SP West Midnapore soon after Trinamul Congress came to power for the first time in 2011, had been instrumental in bringing Maoist menace under control and acted as a mediator in the surrendering of arms. Miss Banerjee on Monday handed over appointment letters for ‘special home guard’ posts to around 355 surrendered Maoists.

State government has created the special home guard post to strengthen intelligence network in Junglemahal so as to counter insurgency. State home secretary Atri Bhattacharya, Director General of Police Surajit Kar Purakayasthya and ADG law and order Anuj Sharma along with the SPs of five Maoists affected districts of Birbhum, West Midnapore, Bankura, Purulia and Jhargram were present at the meeting. Addressing the surrendered Maoists, Miss Banerjee said, we have to strengthen our network and work in coordination with the police.

Slamming the BJP, Miss Banerjee said that the party was trying to create trouble in Junglemahal by infiltrating troublemakers through Jharkhand. She alleged that they (read BJP) were creating trouble among tribals and between communities of Hindus, Muslims and Christians. She asked the surrendered Maoists to be cautious against them.

Some people are trying to create trouble in the name of Majhi Marao Committeem, she added. She further asked them to inform the administration if they receive any Maoist’s related information. Giving a detailed account of the various government schemes, Miss Banerjee urged the surrendered Maoists to get involved in these initiatives. Miss Banerjee said that she had written to the Centre to give recognition to Kurmi language and that plans are afoot to set up a Kurmi Cultural Academy.