KOLKATA - Railway Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Wednesday demanded withdrawal of central forces from West Bengal’s troubled Lalgarh region.

“I want the central forces to be withdrawn from Lalgarh as the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led Left Front government in the state is torturing innocent villagers in a name of (anti-) Maoist operations there,” she said.

“Armed CPI-M cadres are capturing land in Lalgarh and its adjoining areas,” Banerjee told a press conference after concluding the party’s core committee meeting here.

She said it was the “CPI-M-backed anti-socials” who were blowing up railway tracks in neighbouring Jharkhand and Bihar.

“The CPI-M is committing the offence and just putting the blame on the Maoists. The CPI-M activists are doubling up as Maoists in West Bengal,” she said.

Banerjee also demanded withdrawal of orders prohibiting assembly of more than four people from large parts of West Midnapore district.

“Carrying out joint operation in Lalgarh is not the solution to the ongoing problem. The government must begin development drive in the region keeping the local people in its confidence,” the Trinamool Congress chief said.

“Development is the only answer to the Maoist violence in the state,” she said.