The CPM, which is the biggest constituent of the Left Front government in Bengal, has advised Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee not to buckle under the pressure of the Maoists.

Hours after Maoist leader Kishenji demanded release of Naxal cadres — who were arrested from Lalgarh in the ongoing joint operation — in exchange for the abducted officer-in-charge of Sankrail police station, top leaders of the CPM met at their party headquarters on Alimuddin Street. Their message to the government was clear — don’t release any hardcore Maoists in exchange for the police officer. But at the same time the party has asked the government to take steps to secure the release of the officer.

“The administration should take proper legal action against the architect of the present anarchy and terror,” stated the statement issued by the party which was read by Biman Bose before the mediapersons.

Terming the abduction of the policemen by the Maoists as ‘unprecedented’, Bose hit upon the Opposition Trinamool for its alleged ties with the Naxals. “It is clear today that the Trinamool Congress and Maoists have joined hands to create a state of anarchy,” said Bose.

Sources in the CPM said that the chief minister was initially confused about dealing with Kishenji’s demand. The party agrees that it is very difficult for the government to deal with such a situation. A senior party leader said: “If the government releases any Maoists, they will continue to abduct people and press the government for release of their cadres. On the other hand, the government should actively try to rescue the O-C otherwise the morale of the police force would be broken.”