Take stern measures against Maoists: Chidambaram

Lalgarh (West Bengal), Apr 4 (ANI): Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, who is on a two-day visit to Maoist-hit Lalgarh in West Midnapore district asked the West Bengal Government to take stern measures against the Maoists.

"The buck should stop at the Chief Minister's table," Chidambaram told reporters on Sunday.

Expressing displeasure at the Burdwan blast, he said, "The villagers know that the Maoists will not bring development. My appeal is that if government is ineffective, make it more effective, but don't support the Maoists."

The Home Minister also said he has discussed with the state government the issue of law and order, and asked them to take stern measures against the Maoists.

Chidambaram arrived here in a helicopter at around 8 a.m. this morning accompanied by West Bengal Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen and Director General of Police (DGP) Bhupinder Singh.

It has been reported that Chidambaram held a high-level meeting with the DGP, Home Secretary and top Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials at the Lalgarh police station.

Earlier on Saturday, he held a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, to take a stock of the joint anti-Maoist operations.

Meanwhile, the Maoists backed organisation People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) has called for a 24-hour shutdown in West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts to protest the Home Minister's visit.

This is the first time that Chidambaram is visiting a Maoist stronghold since the launch of "Operation Green Hunt."

Suspected Maoists triggered off a landmine blast in Lalgarh on Saturday morning, ahead of his visit to the region.

According to the police, the Maoists triggered off the blast on an isolated road near Bamal village, which is over four kilometers from Lalgarh.

There were no reports of casualties.Police have launched a search operation in the region. (ANI)