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 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...

Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh will visit Jungle Mahal on Saturday and meet Mamata Banerjee in Calcutta on Sunday to finalise a development package for the maoist zone. The idea is to take up Jungle Mahal as a test case for the two-pronged approach of development and police action to rein in the rebels. The state government recently decided to resume counter-maoist operations in the region. Ramesh will visit West Midnapore...

-The Hindu   State to take care of education and other needs of their son till 12th standard Two hardcore maoists, one of whom was reportedly involved in the Silda camp killing in 2010, called on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the State Secretariat on Thursday after surrendering before the police. Congratulating the duo, who met her along with their child, Ms. Banerjee said the government would examine the legal cases against...

A nun from Kerala, known for her decade-long agitation that ensured villagers were adequately compensated before a coal mining company was allowed to begin operations, was murdered near her home in Pakur district last night. Sister Valsa John (53) was dragged out from her rented house in Pachuara village, 60km from the district headquarters, around 10.30pm and attacked by a gang with weapons, resulting in her immediate death, said IG Arun...