I support Maoist movement, says JMM chief

Kolkata: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Chief Shibu Soren on Wednesday said that he supported the Maoist movement, but was opposed to killings.

"I am in favour of the movement, but I certainly don't believe in killing people," Soren, a former Jharkhand chief minister, told a press conference when asked whether he supported the Maoist movement.

"Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has always fought for the cause of tribals and our party will support anybody fighting for their development, but killing people is not justified," he said.

Asked whether deployment of joint forces was causing problems to tribals, Soren said, "If the government thinks the force is necessary to restore law and order then none should question it. But at the same time it should be seen that the force is not used for the benefit of some party."

On JMM's intention to contest the coming Assembly elections in West Bengal, he said, "Let there be notification and then everything will be clear."

Earlier, Soren, his son and deputy chief minister Hemant and some party leaders called on West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan.