Naxals ambush CRPF team, 73 killed

Naxals launched a major offensive against security forces in Chhattisgarh killing at least 73 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in an ambush in Dantewada district of the state on Tuesday morning. The Naxals attacked the security personnel between Chintalnar and Tademetla in Sukma block when were on way to Tademetla in Sukma block of Dantewada in a vehicle. The Naxals first triggered a landmine blast and the moment the vehicle stopped, the rebels ambushed the CRPF team from a hill top. “The total casualty is 73 and about 12 CRPF personnel have been injured,” said CRPF DIG (Anti-Naxal operations) SRP Kalluri.

Chhattisgarh Police spokesperson RK VIJ said that reinforcement has reached the ambush site and recovered 40 bodies. “The CRPF party was out for last three days. The Naxalites attacked today morning between 6 AM and 7 AM. The reinforcements have reached. We are trying to evacuate the injured through helicopters. The security forces party was more than 80. We have collected 40 bodies till now,” said VIJ. However, senior Chhattisgarh Police officials and sources in Ministry of Home Affairs feared that the death toll could rise.

CRPF Director General Raman Srivastava will be leaving for Dantewada and said that he would be able to give the details only after reaching the area. A gunbattle is presently going on at Jagargunda in Chintalnar block of Dantewada district between hundreds of armed Naxals and about 100 CRPF personnel. “We are trying to send reinforcement forces to the spot. The forces are facing difficulty as the area has been blocked by the Naxals. Naxals had built bunkers on the hill top and CRPF personnels not aware of the bunkers. The attack was preplanned. They first attacked the CRPF mobile van followed by firing,” said Chhattisgarh Director General of Police Vishwa Ranjan.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said that more forces have been sent to the area to take on the Naxals. “The state police and CRPF have jointly mobilised forces in the area. I am sorry for the people who have lost their lives. Senior officers are reaching spot to take stock. We are monitoring the situation,” said Union Home Minister P Chidambaram. A contingent of CRPF personnel from West Bengal has already been mobilised and ordered to move to Dantewada, The CRPF team was going to Sukma where a gunbattle had been taking place between security forces and Naxals since Monday evening when it was attacked. One CRPF personnel had already been killed and another injured in the gunbattle on Monday.

(http://ibnlive.in.com/news/naxals-ambush-crpf-team-65-killed/112766-3.html?from=tn  06/04/10, IBN Live)

Poor leadership shows, P Chidambaram to West Bengal CM

The Centre has blamed lack of leadership and poor management of the law and order apparatus in West Bengal for the Maoist mayhem in Lalgarh.  Home minister P Chidambaram is learnt to have conveyed the Centre’s dismay over the state government’s apathy to its leadership during his two day visit to the state. What has appealed the minister is the casual approach to managing security in troubled areas of the state. Sources said the minister expressed his displeasure over the deployment of security personnel in the state. “The three Naxal-affected districts — West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia — require 58 police stations. But just 28 are functional,” said an official. What was more galling is that half of these 28 police stations in the most trouble prone areas. Not only that, the average strength of these 28 police stations is 25 people, which is barely one third of the ideal deployment.

The lack of leadership for the forces was most glaring as platoons in the troubled areas are commandeered by hawaldars. The minister was also told by the people of Lalgarh that district magistrate and SP rarely visit the area. The minister is said to have raised the lack of motivation among the state police on account of the failure of the state government to extend any incentive for those fighting Naxals. “The forces in states like Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh are a highly motivated lot compared to their counterparts in West Bengal,” said an official. Incidentally, chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has not visited Lalgarh since November 2008.

(http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Poor-leadership-shows-P-Chidambaram-to-West-Bengal-CM/articleshow/5765074.cms  06/04/10, Economic Times)

I’m not a Maoist, says a professor who threatens to sue cops

Interested in communism? Read Marxist literature? Careful, you might be arrested. Dr Sunil Mandiwal, an assistant professor with Dayal Singh College, seems to have this explanation for his recent trouble. Mandiwal, who was twice detained and interrogated by a team of Delhi police, Central Intelligence officials and Andhra Pradesh police since Sunday, said he would sue the officials if they harass him regarding his suspected links with the banned Communist Party of India (Maoists).

The professor, who personally believes in communist ideology, claims he has no links with the Maoists. Yet, he was picked up by a team of Andhra police and special staff of south district police for having alleged links with Maoist leader, Krishna Rao, on Sunday evening. “I have a friend named Krishna Rao who lives in Hyderabad. He had called me to pay rent on his behalf to his landlord in Vasant Gaon village and had asked me to collect his books from there. The police claim that I have some Maoist links, as my friend’s name is the same as that of Maoist leader, Krishna Rao. They even brought the Maoist for a face-to-face interrogation, and I told the police that he isn’t the person whose rent I paid and whose reading material I collected from Vasant Gaon. Even the Maoist leader told the police that he didn’t know me,” said Dr Mandiwal.

The police questioned Mandiwal on the basis of a statement allegedly provided by Naxal leader Krishna Rao alias Murthy, arrested by the Andhra police a few days ago. Rao was living on rent in Delhi at Vasant Gaon village in south Delhi till September 2009. After the arrest of another top leader Kobad Ghandy on September 20, 2009, Rao had left the city. Andhra Pradesh police arrested him on March 22. “During my student life, I was associated with the communist ideology and took active part in various protests, including the protest against the US for its attack on Afghanistan. But it’s my personal ideology, and I don’t have any links with Maoists,” Dr Mandiwal said.

“The police officials have seized books and the two cartons that I had brought from my friend’s house and also some books from my own house, which were on Marxist literature. Police officials asked me to be a witness in a case against Maoist leader Krishna Rao and have also asked me to sign around 180 books that they have seized,” said the DU professor. He added, “Some CDs have also been recovered from the cartons and I am unaware about their content. I was questioned by three intelligence officials along with the Andhra police team and Delhi police officials.” Meanwhile, Maoist leader Krishna Rao’s landlord, Girish, has identified him as his tenant. 

(http://www.ndtv.com/news/cities/i-am-not-a-maoist-says-du-professor-19290.php  06/04/10, NDTV)

Major Naxal attacks in recent past

Following is the chronology of major recent Naxal attacks in the country.

July 16, 2008: 21 policemen killed when a police van was blown up in a landmine blast in Malkangiri district of Orissa. June 29: Maoists attack a boat on Balimela reservoir in Orissa carrying four anti-Naxalite police officials and 60 Greyhound commandos, killing 38 troops.

Oct 8, 2009: 17 policemen killed when Maoists ambushed them at Laheri police station in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. Sep 30: Naxalites set ablaze Gram Panchayat offices at Korchi and Belgaon in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.

Sep 26: Naxals kill BJP MP from Balaghat Baliram Kashyap’s sons at Pairaguda village in Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh).

Sep 4: Naxals kill four villagers in a forest in Aaded village in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district.

Jul 31: A special police officer and another person killed by Naxals in Bijapur district.

July 27: Six persons killed when Naxals trigger a landmine blast at Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh.

July 23: A 40-year-old tribal killed by Naxalites at Ettapalli taluka in Gadchiroli district.

July 18: Naxalites kill a villager in Bastar and in a separate incident torch a vehicle engaged in road construction work in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.

June 23: A group of motorcycle-borne armed Naxal rebels open fire on Lakhisarai district court premises in Bihar and free four of their comrades including the self-style Zonal Commander of Ranchi.

June 16: Maoists kill 11 police officers in a landmine attack followed by armed assault. In a separate attack, four policemen were killed and two others seriously injured when Maoists ambush them at Beherakhand in Palamau district.

June 13: Naxals launch two landmine and bomb attacks in a small town close to Bokaro, killing 10 policemen and injuring several others.

June 10: Nine policemen, including CRPF troops and officers, ambushed by Maoists during a routine patrol in Saranda jungles in Jharkhand.

May 22: Maoists kill 16 policemen in the jungles of Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra.

April 22: Maoists hijack a train with at least 300 people on board in Jharkhand and force it to Latehar district before fleeing.

April 13: 10 paramilitary troops killed in eastern Orissa when Maoists attack a bauxite mine in Koraput district.

Feb 15, 2010: 24 personnel of the Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) killed as Maoists attack their camp in Silda in West Midnapore district of West Bengal.

April 4, 2010: Maoists triggered a landmine blast killing 11 security personnel of the elite anti-naxal force Special Operations Group (SOG) in Koraput district of Orrisa.

(http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Major-Naxal-attacks-in-recent-past/600736  06/04/10, Indian Express)

Manipur street play highlights people’s voice for peace

Street plays for long have been a way of raising issues that are of concern to the society, recently, theatre artists in Manipur staged plays against militant activities. People in northeast have been the victims of militant activities from long time. Recently, a Thoubal-based theatre group called Roopalaya Theatre came forward to highlight the problems caused by militants in the northeast. Supported by Delhi-based the National Institute of Performing Arts, the artists staged two plays called ‘A voice from the heart’ and ‘The Question’.

The plays were staged in Nambol Bazar and Bishnupur Bazar of Bishnupur District and Malom Bazar of Imphal West District. “We want peace is the slogan of the public. The people do not want more killings and violence as well as gun culture in the state. Though in both plays the content varies, but it expresses he desire for peace,” said Bonee Thongamcha, Director, Roopalaya Theatre. The present situation in the state is very confusing. Our play depicts this turmoil situation to spread awareness about the problem to public and bring a peaceful solution,” said Ibomcha ingh, an artist. People in Manipur are fed up with bomb attacks, extortions and killings. He attempt was to make people aware of the urgent need for harmony in the society and to bring an end to violence.

The plays urged the audience to work towards bringing lasting peace and finding a solution to militancy. People in the audience hoped that such efforts would help being about a positive change in the society. “The young and the old, everyone should be taught to head in a positive direction. You know we value life, as we cannot be born again and again. We are confused by the present spree of killings,” said Apabi Devi, a member audience. People in Manipur and in the entire northeast region are well aware of the modus operandi of militant outfits that work for their selfish motives. The region has already paid a heavy price due to insurgent activities and all the people now want is peace and progress and a better life that is free of uncertainty. Indeed! ‘This is a voice from the heart’.

(http://news.oneindia.in/2010/04/05/manipurstreet-play-highlights-peoples-voice-for-peace.html  05/04/10, One India News)

KCP (L) designated camp at Leikhun objected by CNPO

Taking serious note of the decision to shelter 200 cadres of KCP (L) at 8 Manipur Rifles, Leikhun, Chandel, by the state Government the Chandel Naga Peoples Organisation (CNPO) in a statement demand the immediate withdrawal of it in the interest of the General public of Chandel district failing which the people of the district shall resort to any kind of agitation till their demand is met and asserted that any untoward consequences of such action shall be sole responsibility of the state Government.

The statement signed by the president of CNPO, St. Nunghlung Victor, seeks clarification from the state Government the purpose/policy of housing valley based militant group (KCP-L) in the hill areas like Chandel where the Law and Order situation is very peaceful at present, it said adding that it asked whether there was no other place in the valley to keep such groups. In the meantime the federating units of CNPO also extend their support to the demand of the CNPO which includes Naga Students Union Chandel (NSUC), Anallon Chiefs Association, Naga Women Chandel, Maha Area Chiefs Association and Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR).

(http://www.ifp.co.in/shownews.php?newsid=8908  05/04/10, Imphal Free Press)

Assam govt brands RTI activist as Maoist

Social activists in the Northeast are being victimised by the state for opposing dams and industry. Many are being branded as Maoists and ULFA with one of them being a national award winning RTI activist. Chairman of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti Akhil Gogoi has been branded a Maoist even though he is a national award winner for his RTI activism. But Gogoi is not surprised. “Much before the National Tribal Forest Act, we have been fighting for forest dwellers of Northeast. They have to get their patta (papers) and forest rights. This is Assam’s biggest movement now,” he says about his cause.

However, a report mentions Gogoi’s apparent meeting with Maoists in Golaghat district of Assam. Bhuban Pegu, a Mising leader and another social worker has also been named as a Maoist. Under pressure the Assam government has now admitted that the report was an error. “They have been named as Maoists, also as Hujis and as ULFA, NDFB supporters. Why? Because we have been coordinating and working together against the construction of big dams in Arunachal Pradesh and we have been demanding local patta for ordinary farmers,” says Ganasakti MLA Bhuban Pegu.

The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti has been opposing big dams like the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Dam project in the ecologically fragile Brahmaputra basin. They’ve also been demanding land for marginal farmers and there have been vicious crackdown on their protests. It’s a trend echoed in Manipur. NGO worker Jiten has been against the proposed Tipaimukh Dam. He was arrested under the National Security Act in September 2009 and later released. His medical report mentions severe pain in private parts due to electric shock. It is not just Manipur or Assam as activists have also been threatened in Arunachal Pradesh as well. Dissent of any kind is not only being dubbed as anti-state and anti-development, it’s an either with us or them approach seems to be the only rule.

(http://ibnlive.in.com/news/assam-govt-brands-rti-activist-as-maoist/112754-3.html  06/04/10, IBN Live)

Four UGs including woman held

Security forces arrested at least four militant including a women cadre while conducting counter insurgency operation in different parts of the state. A statement issued by the SSP Imphal West district, L. Kailun, said a combined team of the district police commandos and a column of 26 AR arrested one women activist of KLA from Kadangband Part-I, identified as one Lhingboi Touthang, 30, w/o Tk. Stephen of Jangthompahi Village, Churachandpur around 8:55 am today. It said that one 9mm pistol along with 5 live ammunitions, one AK ammunition, one SBML ammunition and one Nokia mobile handset were recovered from the possession of the activist.

On the other, a statement issued by the SSP, Thoubal, Clay Khongsai, said that yesterday about 8:30 pm, the district police commandos arrested one PLA cadre while conducting frisking and checking duty at Wangjing Bazar, identified as one Seleibam Saratchandra Singh, 30, s/o (L) S. Kameshor Singh of Kairembikhok Mayai Leikai. It said that another two cadre of PULF (M.I. Khan) faction were arrested by a combined team comprising of the district commandos and 21 AR in a search operation at Sekmaijin Bazar, today at about 5:30. The arrested persons were identified as one Md. Abdur Rahman, 38, s/o Md. Heda of Uchiwa Nastao and Md. Ahmed Ali, 41, s/o (L) Md. Asraf Ali of Uchiwa Nastao.

(http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=52285&typeid=1  05/04/10, Kangla Online)

AAPSU opposes ‘greater Nagaland’

Arunachal Pradesh students today expressed strong opposition to “greater Nagaland” and said that if the current Indo-Naga dialogue broaches the issue, it would be vehemently resisted. The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union shot off a memorandum to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram outlining a number of demands. The memorandum included expression of resistance to “greater Nagaland” and militancy in AP with particular reference to the NSCNs’ “extra-territorial activities.” In its statement to the Home Minister, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union reiterated that it would oppose any move of the Government of India to concede to the demand of the NSCN (IM) to include any part of AP’s territory for creation of “greater Nagaland” to solve the vexed Naga issue.  

The union welcomed the talks between the Centre and the NSCN (IM) to find a permanent solution to the Naga problem. “However, if the talk touches the issue of our parting any territory, we will vehemently oppose it since Arunachal Pradesh have already  lost Tuensang included in erstwhile NEFA (which later became Arunachal Pradesh) to Nagaland and so we don’t want to part with any more territory or districts,” the AAPSU stated. The union said that the then Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Mukut Mithi’s  government had earlier communicated the same view to the Centre in 1999 and the state Assembly had reiterated it in 2006 during the tenure of Gegong Apang.  “Keeping in mind, we urge upon you that during the course of talks between New Delhi and NSCN (IM) to settle the vexed Naga imbroglios, when the question of conceding any part of Arunachal’s territory to be part of Greater Nagaland – the people of Arunachal Pradesh and its popularly democratically elected state government must be taken into confidence.”

The AAPSU also took strong cognizance of the presence of ‘Naga militants’ in Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Calling it a serious problem not only for Arunachal Pradesh but “for the nation as a whole,” the union said the NSCNs’ “extra-territorial activities” can only be contained if the Central and the state governments come together. “India has attained independence long years back but it is sad that people living in these two districts are being ‘ruled’ and ‘subjugated’ by these elements. Taxes are being levied from them, 5-10% from any government schemes, 2% from government employees and Rs 2 each from every house,” the AAPSU stated.

The militancy can be contained if they take ‘concerted action to put a halt on the anti-national activities of the militants,’ the AAPSU stated. “Keeping the seriousness of the issue, the AAPSU urges upon the Government of India to take government of Arunachal Pradesh into confidence and evolve a strategy to flush out the militants from these two districts so that peace and normalcy could be retained amongst the people. It could be possible only if government adopt a human (sic) approach method as military operations are not the solution to this issue,” the union said.

The AAPSU has asked the Government of India to take necessary steps to seal the border with Nagaland and Burma to solve the menace of militancy at the earliest.  “Taking the space, we would also like to appeal to you to seal all the international boundaries that Arunachal shares with,” the AAPSU stated.  

(http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/46581.html  05/04/10, Morung Express)

Militant arrested, detained trucks leave for Manipur

All Manipur-bound trucks detained by NSCN(K) activists at Dimapur demanding extortion money today left for the neighbouring state after Nagaland Police arrested a militant belonging to the outfit and provided security to the drivers on the highway. Dimapur Police arrested an NSCN(K) activist from Chandel district of Manipur for detaining over 70 trucks, most of them laden with essential commodities. The trucks were stranded in the FCI godown area of the town for the past few days, police sources said. They said although they had not received any formal complaint either from Manipur Police or the truck operators, they came to know that some people have detained the Manipur-bound trucks loaded with essential commodities and intervened into the matter. When the police personnel reached the place yesterday, they saw three boys there. After being challenged, two of them fled but the third was caught.

(http://www.ptinews.com/news/596967_Militant-arrested–detained-trucks-leave-for-Manipur  05/04/10, Press Trust of India)