Jhargram (West Bengal), Oct 22 (IANS) Describing union Home Minister P. Chidambaram and West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee as "tyrants", top leader of the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) Koteshwar Rao alias Kishanjee said Thursday night that people would fight the security forces assembled against the rebels.

Speaking to reporters deep inside the Domohoni jungle, where he released Sankrail officer-in-charge Atindranath Dutta and handed him over to mediapersons, Kishanjee said: "We are releasing the O.C. without harming or torturing him. His mobile phone is with us. That will be returned tomorrow. But Buddha and Chidambaram are acting like tyrants."

Kishanjee said Chidambaram had assembled 2,000 security forces in Jharkhand and 1,000 in Chhattisgarh to combat the Maoists. "The people will give them a befitting reply."

He said Dutta was released as the people of the state's tribal areas were satisfied at the bail granted to 14 women Maoists by a court in West Midnapore district.

"We have not insulted him. But see how they (the police) attacked and arrested (People's Committee Against Police Atrocities - PCAPA) leader Chhattradhar Mahato. I appeal to the media to think who is in favour of democracy and who believes in fascism."

Earlier, in a speech, the Maoist leader criticised the centre and West Bengal government for trying to curb Maoist activities and also rapped Trinamool Congress chief and Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee for failing to ensure withdrawal of joint security forces from Lalgarh.

Kishanjee presented before the press the mother of Jawaharlal Mahato, who he claimed has been arrested by the police. "For the last three days, Dutta's mother was crying. We have relased Dutta to wipe her tears. But who is going to wipe the tears of this mother whose son is in jail for three months now."