Agreeing with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s contention that Maoists were the greatest danger to the nation, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Sunday said the state government was soon going to launch an “all-out police operation” to free West Bengal of Maoists.

“I have told the BDOs to undertake development work. And I have also told the police that mindless killings of the Maoists cannot go on for long. We are going to launch an all-out police action soon to rid the state of the menace of Maoism. I believe that if you also raise your head against this danger and give us your co-operation, we will be able to drive them away from the state,” he said during a rally at Debra in West Midnapore district, considered to be a Naxalite heartland.

Earlier in the day, Bhattacharjee said he agreed with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s contention that Maoists were the greatest danger to the nation. The Chief Minister, who came to Midnapore on Saturday to review the law and order situation as well as developmental projects in the districts of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia affected by Left-wing extremism, was speaking to mediapersons during a press conference at Midnapore Circuit House.

“He (Union Home Minister) has his own objective and we have our own. But we are working together. I cannot elaborate on our own strategy. But I fully agree with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who said that the Maoists are the greatest threat to the nation now,” he said.

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