The Centre is yet to take a decision on Trinamool Congress’ demand for withdrawal of the Central paramilitary forces, engaged in anti-Maoist operations in West Bengal.

“Yes, there is a demand or request from the Trinamool Congress that the Central government should withdraw the paramilitary forces from West Bengal. But no decision has been taken,” Home Minister P Chidambaram told reporters while preseting his ministry’s report card.

Trinamool Congress, the second largest constituent of the UPA, has been demanding that the joint forces be withdrawn from the state accusing them and the ruling Left Front cadres of “committing atrocities” in the name of tackling Maoists.

TC chief and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has been alleging that tribals were being subjected to atrocities by Marxist cadres and joint forces in the name of tackling Maoists, while the CPI(M) was “occupying” fresh areas.

On the allegation, Chidambaram said he had asked the Director General of CRPF to look into the complaint and report back to him.

“I have asked the DG to look into the complaint that the Central paramilitary forces or CRPF is being misutilised in West Bengal. That is a complaint. So, we will look into it when he will report,” he said.

Last week, two Union Ministers of State belonging to TC – Dinesh Trivedi and Mukul Roy – also had met Chidambaram and reiterated the demand for the withdrawal of the central forces from West Bengal.

However, the Left Front also hit back claiming that Trinamool’s repeated demand to pull out joint forces from Lalgarh and Jangalmahal areas was a trick to facilitate Maoist control in these areas in West Midnapore district.

The operation by the joint forces comprising West Bengal Police and the Central paramilitary forces started in Lalgarh in June 2009 to flush out the Maoist from that area.

The three western districts of the state – Purulia, Bankura and West Midnapore – are Maoist dominated.

Assam CM to decide on talks with ULFA: PC

Home Minister P Chidambaram said he had left it to the Chief Minister of Assam to decide when and how the talks should begin with ULFA leadership.

“The Chief Minister of Assam is in touch with ULFA leaders or otherway round — the ULFA leaders are in touch with the Chief Minister of Assam. So, when the offer for talks will be made by ULFA, I am sure the Chief Minister will decide,” he said.

Chidambaram said the central government has left it to the Assam government to decide on the time of holding the dialogue with ULFA.

Gogoi had said here on 19th October that the central and Assam governments have decided to give “green signal” to start the negotiations with ULFA leadership.

“The central government will initiate the talks with ULFA through an interlocutor by December. The Assam government will act as facilitator,” Gogoi had said.

Former Intelligence Bureau chief P C Haldar, who was appointed as interlocutor, is expected to finalise the modalities of talks before initiating the peace process with ULFA leadership.

Most of the ULFA leaders, including the group’s ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa, are currently in jail while Paresh Baruah is believed to be hiding in Myanmar.

Peace talks with ULFA are expected to give a boost to Congress party, which has been ruling Assam for two consecutive terms, to fight assembly elections early next year.