Nayagram:
Making good her promise of a special package for three Maoist-hit districts of Junglemahal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today arrived in Nayagram bringing a slew of development projects and an appeal to Naxals to fight for the country.
"There will no longer be bloodshed and gunbattles in Junglemahal. If those fighting with guns against their own brothers had fought for the country, it would have benefitted the country and those who they are fighting for," Banerjee told a public meeting without naming the ultras.
"Instead what they are doing is hindering development. If you (Maoists) cooperate, I will be able to work for the development of entire Junglemahal," she said.
She appealed to Maoists in West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia, districts which make up 'Junglemahal,' to rejoin the mainstream.
"Those who take up guns are weak and don't win. It is the peace-loving people who eventually emerge as the winner," she said.
Banerjee, who had campaigned vigorously for their withdrawal from Junglemahal in the runup to the May Assembly elections, indicated that the central paramilitary forces would stay on.