As Kishenji cocks a snook, Buddha admits state can't track him

On a day The Sunday Express reported that Kishenji had a seven-minute telephone conversation with West Bengal Principal Secretary (Environment) Madan Lal Meena complaining about polluting mines earlier this week, the Chief Minister was forced to accept the state intelligence machinery's failure to locate the Maoist leader, who is on the run.

"It is very difficult to track him. He is talking to hundreds of journalists everyday. But it is very difficult to find his exact location," he told reporters here. In fact, the Chief Minister went on to add that the central intelligence agencies were also unable to track him down. "We can locate the tower, but it is very difficult to get his actual location in that area," he said.

Regarding Kishenji's chit-chat with the Environment Principal Secretary, he said: "I have seen the report. I will have to talk to him (the official) after I go back."

Significantly, the Chief Minister — who discussed the incidents of Maoist violence in parts of West Bengal with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh — also admitted that the state government was finding it difficult to tackle the activities of Left-wing insurgents in some areas. "I have not given up. I am still trying to stop Maoist activities but in some areas like Jangalmahal we have a problem. It is really very difficult to restore normalcy and peace," he said. The Chief Minister indicated that he was banking on the people to lead the fightback against Maoists.

"There will be a political solution in those areas (affected by Maoist violence). Only policing will not help," he said. Asked what he meant by political solution, he said a majority of the people did not support Maoists and they were fed up with violence. "People are afraid. But gradually they will not tolerate such killings," he said.

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