Dumka (Jharkhand), Nov 20: Jharkhand Chief Minister
Shibu Soren on Thursday blamed the West Bengal government for the
tribal agitation in West Midnapore and termed it as "sequel to
non-fulfilment of their demands and aspirations".
"In the first case why should they (the tribals) resort
to agitation if their aspirations and demands have been
fulfilled," Soren said.
Taking exception to CPI(M)'s allegations of Maoist role
in the tribal agitation in West Bengal's Purulia and Bankura
districts, he said the issue was a political one.
"An agitator is never an extremist. Since Independence we
have agitated for a separate Jharkhand, which ultimately was
carved out from Bihar," he told a news agency here.
On the Greater Jharkhand issue, Soren said it has been a
demand since Independence.
Asked whether he planned a visit to the West Bengal's
agitation-hit areas, Soren said he had a busy schedule.
The issue behind the tribal protest recently drew support
of Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, November 20, 2008, 00:00