Govt maligning Chhatradhar, says Kishenji

The West Bengal government and the police were out to malign arrested tribal leader Chhatradhar Mahato in a bid to take away people's support for his movement in Lalgarh, top Naxalite leader Kishenji claimed on Friday. “The government by maligning Chhatradhar, who was spearheading agitations against alleged police excesses in Lalgarh, is trying to destroy a people’s movement,” he said.

He contested the police's claim of Mahato owning huge property, bank accounts and an insurance policy of Rs one crore, saying, “If it is true let them seize the property and disclose the relevant documets to the press.”

Speaking from an undisclosed location, Kishenji said, “Let Chief Secretay Ashok Mohan Chakraborti, Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen and DG Vupinder Singh declare the property owned by Mahato.”