CPM backs Buddha govt over Naxals; says 'swap' right step

The CPM defended West Bengal government's action in swapping women Maoist supporters with a police officer held captive by the Naxals and said it did not consider the extremists as Leftists. Special coverage

The CPI (M) on Sunday defended West Bengal government's action in swapping women Maoist supporters with a police officer held captive by the Naxals and said it did not consider the extremists as Leftists.

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"The state government is carrying out joint operations to isolate them in Lalgarh and other areas. The government exercised its judgement and decides to get them (26 women) released. We have nothing more to say on this," CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat told reporters in New Delhi.

In reply to a question, he described the move to swap the 26 women agitators with a senior police officer as an "appropriate step". The women released were "not important cadres but ordinarily people mobilised by the Maoists".

"We do not consider Maoists as a Left trend or a Left organisation. They have killed over 60 of our people in West Bengal. They are targeting our offices and workers also in Chhattisgarh and killed our leader in Sundergarh area of Orissa," Karat said, adding that the party would carry out a vigorous nationwide political campaign to isolate the Maoists.

To a question, Karat said, "We are very much present (in Lalgarh). We are working there. We will mobilise the people to resist them and fight them back. We don't rely on the police and the administration."