Jangalmahal peace has become a model: Mamata Banerjee

JHARGRAM (WB): The "success story" of restoration of peace in Jangalmahal, erstwhile Maoist hotbed, has become a 'model' in the entire country, according to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"It is a success story. What has not happened in any other part of the country, happened in West Bengal. Peace has returned to Jangalmahal," Banerjee said.

She was speaking at a programme here in Jhargram in West Midnapore district which is one of the three districts making up Jangalmahal, the other two being Bankura and Purulia.

"I thank the people of Jangalmahal for their support in bringing peace," she said.

Banerjee distributed prizes to the winners of the Jangalmahal Cup football tournament and kabaddi competition winners.

She announced that six hundred police stations in the state would be given a grant of Rs 1 lakh each for development of sports.

She also inaugurated the first edition of the three-day "Jangalmahal Utsab" (Festival) here.

Banerjee claimed that the state government unleashed a tide of development.

Claiming that hundreds of people were killed every year (during the former Left Front regime), she said, "Now there is no death. People want development and peace and not violence."