Congress, Trinamool Congress meet governor on CPI(M) 'atrocities' in West Bengal

The opposition Trinamool Congress (TC) and Congress today sought the intervention of West Bengal governor MK Narayanan in "restoring law and order" in the state and ensuring recovery of illegal arms allegedly stockpiled by ruling CPI(M).

"We told the governor that CPI(M) is unleashing a reign of terror by targeting workers of other political parties with the help of the police and administration. He should take up the matter with the Centre to intervene to protect the lives and property of the people," TC leader Partha Chatterjee told reporters after meeting Narayanan.

He said that the Congress-TC delegation submitted a joint memorandum and documents on the "killings and violence unleashed by the CPI(M)" to the governor.

CLP leader Manas Bhuniya said, "We told him that CPI(M) with the help of the police is organising camps to train party cadres to handle sophisticated firearms in West Midnapur, Purulia, Bankura, Hooghly, Burdwan and Birbhum districts. The party is also in possession of huge illegal arms."

He said the governor told the delegation that he was concerned over the political killings, "no matter which party the victims belonged to".

Regarding illegal arms, the governor assured that he would look into the matter, Bhuniya said.

Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee had yesterday claimed that CPI(M) has set up 200 armed camps in Maoist-hit West Midnapur district. "All these are being done with the chief minister's blessings," she had alleged.

Meanwhile, Saugata Roy, TC leader and Union minister, has dismissed as "irresponsible" the Chief Minister's allegations
about a "nexus" between the Maoists and his party.