JOIN USWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee embarked on a two-day tour of Jangalmahal on Wednesday evening at a time when intelligence agencies have hinted at Maoists’ comeback in the region.
Banerjee, who has a host of development projects in her kitty, will begin her tour from Gopiballabhpur in West Midnapore.
She will address a number of public meetings and inaugurate drinking water treatment, sanitation and healthcare projects.
The chief minister is also expected to visit Bankura where she has a similar agenda.
Banerjee has visited the Jangalmahal region a number of times since becoming the CM in 2011 but this visit, which comes months ahead of the Assembly election, has generated specific interest.
The visit is believed to be an attempt to ensure that the Maoists are unable to take advantage of the lack of development in the region.
Banerjee, who is accompanied by a delegation of officials led by Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra, will preside over administrative meetings to take stock of developments in the two districts.
Most of her promises made to the region in the last four years have remained unfulfilled despite official claims.
While the CM claimed that Jangalmahal is “smiling” ever since her government came to power, ground reports have belied them.
Sources said in the recent months, both central and state intelligence agencies have reportedly warned the state government of Maoist elements trickling back into the underdeveloped region.
Although Banerjee has not officially admitted to these reports, her government’s sources said she has been apprised of the situation.
“With the Assembly elections set for 2016, she will launch a number of schemes and inaugurate projects that have been longstanding demands of local residents. She believes these projects will help keep the Maoist menace at bay,” an official said.
Meanwhile, the Bengal BJP has intensified its attack on the Trinamool Congress government saying the extremists are regrouping in Jangalmahal because Banerjee has failed to deliver on her promises made to the local people.
“The CPM created the Maoists and the Trinamool nurtured them. Banerjee had promised many things to jangalmahal residents but failed to keep them. So the Maoists have resurfaced there,” state BJP chief Rahul Sinha said.