The West Bengal leadership of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) has, in an open letter, warned Trinamool Congress MP Subhendu Adhikari of “severe punishment” being meted out by “the people's court” for his recent remarks against the Maoists in the region. Mr. Adhikari had, at a rally in the Belpahari area of Paschim Medinipur district on November 1, thrown an open challenge to the Maoists and warned that they would...

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has promptly responded to the letter in which the State-appointed interlocutors for talks with Maoists have sought to be relieved of their responsibilities. She has called a meeting with the interlocutors on Saturday. But that does not clear away the clouds gathering over the peace process. While both the government and the Maoists insist that it is in their mutual interest to sit at the...

-The Hindu   In a volte-face that has created ripples in political circles here, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said it is now a “proven” fact that it was the Maoists who were responsible for the Jnaneswari Express sabotage. She had earlier accused the Communist Party of India (Marxist) of being behind the derailment of the train in Paschim Medinipur district on May 28, 2010, in which nearly 150 people were...

-The Hindu   The Supreme Court on Tuesday took a serious view of the Kerala High Court sending Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader M.V. Jayarajan leader to jail for contempt without giving him an opportunity to file an appeal, and ordered his release on bail forthwith. Mr. Jayarajan, who was found guilty of criminal contempt by the High Court for criticising the judiciary, was sentenced to six months' simple imprisonment and a...

-The Hindu   National convention brings to light cases of police atrocity unknown to many   On July 6 this year a large number of men and a few minor boys were arrested and put behind bars in Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh after their protest against alleged disrespect to the Holy Quran by the local police turned violent. However, Subhashini Ali, vice-president of the All India Democratic Women's Association, said on Wednesday that...