Lalgarh issue takes serious turn in West Bengal

Lalgarh issue has taken a serious turn in West Bengal as the government has asked Maoists to lay down arms or face action. Lalgarh and adjoining areas came under siege by Maoists and armed tribals five days ago and they are prepared to fight the security forces by forming three layers of defence. The tribals under the People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities blocked passage to Lalgarh by felling trees and digging up roads and blowing up a bridge at Binpur, 12 km from Lalgarh.

Union home minister P Chidambaram has asked Maoists to lay down arms and come for talks supporting an appeal made by West Bengal Chief Minister Bhuddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

Should the West Bengal government ban the leftist extremist outfit, Communist Party of India-Maoist as suggested by Chidambaram?

Do you think Lalgarh issue is the result of colonial system of governance that continues to thrive in West Bengal?