'Bangladesh is Supporting Insurgents: Buddhadeb
Bartaman
November 27, 2005

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya complained that Bangladesh was assisting members of terrorist organizations in various places across India & West Bengal. Speaking at a public meeting organized by the Jadavpur Zonal Committee on Saturday evening, he said, 'Bangladesh is becoming a grave problem. Along the long border somewhere religious fundamentalists & elsewhere insurgents are active. The ULFA & KLO insurgents have taken shelter in Bangladesh & the KLO's number one leader is residing in Dhaka. His telephone number, address have been intimated to the Bangladeshi authorities yet no action has been taken. We have informed the Centre a number of times but have not heard anything so far. The ULFA & KLO insurgents are sitting in Bangladesh & reorganizing their operations. There are demands for a greater Coochbehar here too.'

The Salem issue followed the Chief Minister in this evening's party meeting also. He was asked to say something on it. He said that the Salem Group has decided, as of now, to start a motorcycle company in Uluberia & they have started work also. 'But there was an opposing wind as soon as the land was acquired, but where did it go? It has not yet been decided. Nirupam Sen is talking to the south 24Parganas Dist leadership. Industrialisation is going to take place after safeguarding agriculture. The opposition is shouting without knowing all facts.'

In a long speech the Chief Minister also discussed the Maoist threat to the state, the education & health scenario along with other issues. According to his estimate the Maoists have created extensive disturbances in the districts of Bankura, Purulia & West Midnapore. They have attacked policemen & have killed CPM party workers. He pointed out that the militants were entering West Bengal from the Jharkhand jungles, where there is practically no governance. So that the Maoists get no recruit from backward areas rapid development activities have to be undertaken.

(The above is a translation from Bengali.)