Armed camps exist in West Bengal: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI - Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday said some armed camps do exist in West Bengal and it was for the state government to look into the matter.

“I think generally it is agreed that there are some camps in some parts of West Bengal and there are cadres in these camps who carry arms,” Chidambaram told reporters.

He was asked about the Trinamool Congress’ allegations of Marxist cadres operating armed camps in the Left-ruled state. The Trinamool recently alleged that there were nearly 60 armed camps in West Bengal being operated by the Marxists, an accusation which the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has denied.

Chidambaram said that law and order was a state subject.

“I hope the government of West Bengal will look into the matter of these armed camps in West Bengal,” he said.

The home minister reiterated his talks-offer for Maoist guerrillas, saying they have to abjure violence first. He, however, maintained that there had been no headway towards that.

“I think the situation remains the same. Our offer remains. It remains on the table. If the CPI-Maoist abjures violence, we are prepared to hold talks with them. But we have not received any credible response to that offer,” he said.