Kolkata, Sep 20 (IANS) Litterateur and Maoist sympathiser Varavara Rao, who visited the rebel-hit areas of West Bengal Tuesday, said the people's condition there has not changed under the new regime.

"There is no improvement in the situation. Nothing has changed in these three months, people are facing the same problems as they did earlier. Trinamool (Congress) leaders are attacking the people," Rao told IANS by phone.

Varavara Rao, along with several intellectuals and rights activists, visited Junglemahal (Maoist-affected forested areas in western part of the state) on a fact-finding mission regarding the alleged atrocities on people by joint security forces.

"There has been no development in the area. The roads are in bad shape. The joint forces often perpetrate violence on the locals," he said.

Rao refused to comment on the killing of a local Trinamool leader Tuesday by Maoists. "Though I came to know about it through media reports, but I cannot comment until I verify," he said.

Trinamool leader Lal Mohan Mahato was killed by Maoists in West Midnapore district Tuesday, following which an enraged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called it an act of cowardice and said politics of murder will not be allowed to prevail.

Rao also hoped to meet Banerjee to discuss the Maoist issue.

"We hope to meet Banerjee day after tomorrow (Thursday) but the CM's office is yet to confirm the meeting. Given a chance, we would discuss primarily the withdrawal of joint forces as well as the UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act). Of course, peace talks will also be on the agenda," he said.