Stating that the Maoists had ?entrenched themselves over a period of six months? at Lalgarh in West Bengal, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today said that that the operation by the security forces in West Midnapore district was ?going according to the plan? and that an operation of this nature will take ?some more time than anticipated?.
The Home Minister said that the state government had been advised to take the lead in the operations and that they had heeded the Centre?s advice.
Chidambaram said that he endorsed the appeal made by the West Bengal Chief Minister about his government?s willingness to engage in talks with the CPI (Maoist). ?The Centre would be happy to facilitate any such talks,? he said.
Asked whether there was a war-like situation in Lalgarh, Chidambaram said, ?We are not at war with them. The government does not go to war with it?s own people. We are dealing with a militant organisation that is engaged in armed struggle.?