Top brass of the Congress met here this evening during which it was understood to have discussed the Dantewada naxal attack and Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s offer of resignation owing moral responsibility for it.
The Congress Core Group, comprising of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, party President Sonia Gandhi, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister Chidambaram, Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Political Secretary to Congress President Ahmed Patel attended the meeting.
It is understood that the Dantewada incident in which 76 security personnel were killed and the offer of resignation of Mr. Chidambaram came up for discussion in the meeting, sources said.
Earlier at the AICC briefing, Congress backed Mr. Chidambaram saying his offer of resignation owning moral responsibility for the attack on the security forces was appreciated and commended by the party.
“The statement by Home Minister to Prime Minister owning full moral responsibility does not need to be commented upon. It is appreciated and commended,” party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters.
The party also came out with a two-pronged approach to control the Maoist menace in their areas of influence.
Mr. Singhvi said the Central government will assist the state government in carrying out anti-Naxal operation and regain the territory from their influence.
The second strategy, according to the spokesman, was to address the socio-economic issues of poor people.
“This is to help the state government to restore civil administration and start developmental process like building schools, health centres, roads, providing water and electricity etc,” Mr. Singhvi said.
The party leader said the Congress believes the “state has legitimate right to deploy security forces to apprehend and neutralise the militants (Maoists).”
Referring to the history of the CPI (Maoists), Mr. Singhvi said after 2004, the Left Wing extremists extended their influence to different districts of the country and their avowed aim was to “liberate more and more areas.”
He said they have exploited the poverty faced by tribals in the affected districts and that the tribals seem to support them. “But it is fear masquerading as support,” he said.
Taking a sympathetic view of the tribals, Mr. Singhvi said, “the poor tribals are caught with CPI (Maoists) on one hand and ineffective administration on the other.”
Referring to the two-pronged strategy of the party, he said “our approach will succeed, must succeed.”
Mr. Singhvi said the Dantewada incident was a “scourge on democracy” and a violation of human rights.
Commending the role of the paramilitary forces, the spokesman said they have showed great courage against odds even as the enemy was invisible.
“This is the time to stand by our paramilitary forces and face the challenge posed by the anti-nationals like the naxalites,” he said.
The party leader also called upon all individuals who believe in Indian constitution to come out openly and condemn such dastardly acts.
Asked whether the party favoured a dialogue with the Maoists, he said this could be done only if they believed in Indian constitution and abjured violence.
“How can you expect a party to beg for talks when they (Maoists) talk through the barrel of the gun,” Mr. Singhvi asked.
On whether the party supported the use of military and air force against the Maoists, Mr. Singhvi referred to the statements of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister on the issue.
“At present, there is no mandate to use such force... But nothing can be ruled out,” he said, adding it was not necessary to speculate on it.
Mr. Singhvi also ridiculed media reports saying that the CRPF personnel, killed in Dantewada, were “not trained” for such a warfare saying this was “an insult” and such statements should not be made at this juncture.
Showing posts with label Maoist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maoist. Show all posts
Friday, April 9, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Centre warns of more rail attacks
With trains increasingly facing the threat of Maoist attacks, the Centre has alerted Naxal-affected states and the railways against such attacks and directed them to beef-up their security to the maximum level.
The Rajdhanis, which normally run at speeds ranging between 110 and 130 km have been asked to adhere to speeds of around 75 km when running through Maoist-hit areas. Speed restrictions were imposed on other trains, too, to reduce damage to the minimum in case of an attack.
The fresh home ministry alert has come in the wake of Monday’s targeting of the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express near Gaya by the Maoists who blasted the rail tracks.
Meanwhile, the Maoists killed two persons in Jharkhand and blew up railway tracks in four eastern states hours after they targeted the Rajdhani Express.
The Maoists are observing a shutdown in Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and three districts of Maharashtra to protest against stepped up anti-Naxal operations, price rise and arrests of some of their cadres.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Another ‘Maoist' activist held in Gujarat
Yet another alleged Maoist activist has been arrested in Gujarat giving indication that the naxalite movement has started gaining ground in the hitherto unaffected western State.
The police on Friday night picked up N. K. Singh, hailing from Begusarai in Bihar, from the Alang ship-breaking yard in Bhavnagar in the Saurashtra region where he was running a labour union. The arrest was made on the basis of the lead the police got from the mobile phone of another Maoist leader, Niranjan Mahapatra, who was arrested from Surat on Wednesday. The police said the two were in close contact with each other.
Niranjan, an alleged naxalite activist from Orissa, was arrested in Pandesara area of Surat where he was living in a small house in Jagannath Nagar area for the last couple of years. The police believed that he was trying to spread Maoist activities among the tribals in south Gujarat as well as among the diamond cutters and power loom industrial workers, both hit by the recent recessionary trend. The police claimed that both Niranjan and N. K. Singh were members of the outlawed CPI (M-L) Janshakti and were active in Gujarat for sometime.
While conjectures of left extremism gaining ground in the State were going on for some time now, the State police on February 26 had filed a comprehensive FIR against the outlawed CPI (Maoist) to probe into the outfit's activities and the people involved in spreading its network in the State.
Intelligence inputs had also cautioned the State police of growing naxal activities in the State, particularly in south Gujarat.
Kobad Ghandy link?
Their possible network in Gujarat was exposed by the arrest made in January by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad of Surya Dev Prabhakar who was believed to be in-charge of the naxal operations in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat also along with Maharashtra.
It was also learnt that Prabhakar was working in close tandem with the top naxal leader, Kobad Ghandy.
The police on Friday night picked up N. K. Singh, hailing from Begusarai in Bihar, from the Alang ship-breaking yard in Bhavnagar in the Saurashtra region where he was running a labour union. The arrest was made on the basis of the lead the police got from the mobile phone of another Maoist leader, Niranjan Mahapatra, who was arrested from Surat on Wednesday. The police said the two were in close contact with each other.
Niranjan, an alleged naxalite activist from Orissa, was arrested in Pandesara area of Surat where he was living in a small house in Jagannath Nagar area for the last couple of years. The police believed that he was trying to spread Maoist activities among the tribals in south Gujarat as well as among the diamond cutters and power loom industrial workers, both hit by the recent recessionary trend. The police claimed that both Niranjan and N. K. Singh were members of the outlawed CPI (M-L) Janshakti and were active in Gujarat for sometime.
While conjectures of left extremism gaining ground in the State were going on for some time now, the State police on February 26 had filed a comprehensive FIR against the outlawed CPI (Maoist) to probe into the outfit's activities and the people involved in spreading its network in the State.
Intelligence inputs had also cautioned the State police of growing naxal activities in the State, particularly in south Gujarat.
Kobad Ghandy link?
Their possible network in Gujarat was exposed by the arrest made in January by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad of Surya Dev Prabhakar who was believed to be in-charge of the naxal operations in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat also along with Maharashtra.
It was also learnt that Prabhakar was working in close tandem with the top naxal leader, Kobad Ghandy.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Similipal Tiger Reserve faces poaching threat
In March last year, Maoists damaged three forest range offices, beat up tourists and burnt down forest departments , which boast of considerable animal presence
The Similipal Tiger Reserve in Orissa faces increased danger of poaching after it closed last year following Maoist violence and assault on forest guards.
“After the Maoist attack in Similipal in March last year, the National Park and Tiger Reserve is yet to reopen due to lack of adequate security forces. Central forces promised are yet to arrive,” field director of STR Harishankar Upadhyay said.
The threat of poaching has increased in the reserve which houses 25 tigers as per the last census, Mr. Upadhyay said, adding that of the 65 anti-poaching camps only 40 are now functioning.
Forest guards, who fled after the Maoist violence are gradually returning and confidence building measures have been taken up as they are still scared, he said. “But, if Maoist violence continues in Similipal, no forest staff will remain there.
“There have been instances of poaching of deer, but not of tigers.”
In March last year, Maoists damaged three forest range offices, beat up tourists and forest staff and burnt down forest department establishments at Chahala, Dhudruchampa and Upper Barahkamuda, which boast of considerable animal presence and are located in the core area.
The STR field director said at present two police camps are located in the Upper Barakumda range and Gudgudia range, but deployment of adequate forces and extensive combing operations are required.
Asked whether Maoists posed a threat to tigers and other animals, he said, “Since the forest personnel are scared, the protection of animals is affected.”
Asked whether he has taken up the matter with the Orissa government, he said it is aware of it.
On the re-opening of the tiger reserve for tourists, he said the decision would be taken after deployment of central forces.
Mr. Upadhayay said a positive development was that one of the four villages inside the core area of the reserve has been shifted last week from Jenabil to Amdiah near Udla in Mayurbhanj district.
Altogether 61 families have been relocated from Jenabil. Each family has been given a Rs 10 lakh package as per the rules of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Mr. Upadhyay said that three villages — Kabatghai, Jamunagarh and Bakua — are still located inside the core area and steps are being taken to relocate them also.
Altogether 35 families are living in Kabatghai, 26 in Jamunagarh and 61 in Bakua, he said.
Asked whether any timeframe has been fixed for their relocation, he said it took 20 years to shift the Jenabil village.
“Now our first priority is to settle the villagers from Jenabil properly. Once they are settled properly, others from the remaining villages inside the core area will be encouraged to shift out of the park,” he said.
The Similipal Tiger Reserve in Orissa faces increased danger of poaching after it closed last year following Maoist violence and assault on forest guards.
“After the Maoist attack in Similipal in March last year, the National Park and Tiger Reserve is yet to reopen due to lack of adequate security forces. Central forces promised are yet to arrive,” field director of STR Harishankar Upadhyay said.
The threat of poaching has increased in the reserve which houses 25 tigers as per the last census, Mr. Upadhyay said, adding that of the 65 anti-poaching camps only 40 are now functioning.
Forest guards, who fled after the Maoist violence are gradually returning and confidence building measures have been taken up as they are still scared, he said. “But, if Maoist violence continues in Similipal, no forest staff will remain there.
“There have been instances of poaching of deer, but not of tigers.”
In March last year, Maoists damaged three forest range offices, beat up tourists and forest staff and burnt down forest department establishments at Chahala, Dhudruchampa and Upper Barahkamuda, which boast of considerable animal presence and are located in the core area.
The STR field director said at present two police camps are located in the Upper Barakumda range and Gudgudia range, but deployment of adequate forces and extensive combing operations are required.
Asked whether Maoists posed a threat to tigers and other animals, he said, “Since the forest personnel are scared, the protection of animals is affected.”
Asked whether he has taken up the matter with the Orissa government, he said it is aware of it.
On the re-opening of the tiger reserve for tourists, he said the decision would be taken after deployment of central forces.
Mr. Upadhayay said a positive development was that one of the four villages inside the core area of the reserve has been shifted last week from Jenabil to Amdiah near Udla in Mayurbhanj district.
Altogether 61 families have been relocated from Jenabil. Each family has been given a Rs 10 lakh package as per the rules of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Mr. Upadhyay said that three villages — Kabatghai, Jamunagarh and Bakua — are still located inside the core area and steps are being taken to relocate them also.
Altogether 35 families are living in Kabatghai, 26 in Jamunagarh and 61 in Bakua, he said.
Asked whether any timeframe has been fixed for their relocation, he said it took 20 years to shift the Jenabil village.
“Now our first priority is to settle the villagers from Jenabil properly. Once they are settled properly, others from the remaining villages inside the core area will be encouraged to shift out of the park,” he said.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Top Naxals killed in Andhra Pradesh
Two top Maoist leaders Sakhamuri Appa Rao and Solipeta Kondal Reddy were shot dead in two separate alleged encounters by the police in Prakasam and Warangal districts in Andhra Pradesh on Friday morning.
Police recovered AK – 47 rifles from both the encounter sites. Both the slain leaders are of the State committee member level. While Appa Rao had a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, Reddy had a reward of Rs 5 lakh on him.
In Prakasam district, the exchange of fire took place around 6.15 p.m. yesterday on a hillock near Isullapaya penta village under Pullala Cheruvu police station limits.
“A combing team which was returning had cited four or five naxalites on top of a small hillock. Police encircled it and there was an exchange of fire in which one naxalite was killed. He was later identified as Sakhamuri Appa Rao”, Prakasam SP, V. Naveenchand told The Hindu from the encounter site on phone.
Sakhamuri Appa Rao, who operated under different names in the Maoist party, had earned the distinction of being both an ideologue and a military strategist.
He was arrested in Hyderabad city in 1993 and was in Chanchalguda central prison for seven years along with Patel Sudhakar Reddy (Central Committee member who was recently killed in Warangal).
After he was released on bail in January 2000, he went underground again and had worked for a long time in Andhra Orissa Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC).
Rao would have been in the Central Committee of the Maoist party, but was demoted by several ranks, after certain allegations were levelled against him by his party colleagues. Later he was elevated to the state committee member level and the time of his death, he was believed to be taking care of the State Military Commission in Andhra Pradesh.
Appa Rao, police records show, was accused of being a mastermind of almost all the major naxal-related incidents in Andhra Pradesh ranging from the abortive assassination attempt on former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Alipiri of Chittoor and killing of IPS officer K.S. Vyas in Hyderabad. Appa Rao hailed from Khanapur village of Warangal district.
Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao in Warangal adds:
Solipeta Kondal Reddy, a top maoist leader was killed in an encounter with the police in the wee hours of Friday near Kodishala village in Tadvai mandal here.
According to the information reaching here, the exchange of fire took place between the Maoist party naxals and special party of police in the early hours. Later, the police found one naxal dead and recovered one AK 47 weapon and some kitbags from the spot. The combing operations by the police were still continuing in the forest area.
Speaking to The Hindu, Superintendent of Police, Shah Nawaz Qasim said they received information about the movement of Maoist party naxals for the past 10 days and they were planning for major violence in the district. As per preliminary information, the slain naxal was identified as Solipeta Kondal Reddy alias Tech Ramana, he said.
The encounter that took place after a long time in the district created tension all over. Since early hours, it was widely rumoured that Mohannana of Praja Prathighatan who was most wanted by the district police for long was killed in the encounter. The police too were not sure of the party to which the naxals involved in the exchange of fire took place for quite sometime.
With the help of former naxals, the police succeeded in identifying the deceased and confirmed that they belonged to Maoist party.
Solipeta Kondal Reddy, the other top naxal leader was from Chittapur village in Medak district and had gone underground in 1988 while studying in Badruka college in Hyderabad.
He was arrested by Mahankali police in the state capital in 1992 and on being given bail, he went underground some six months later. He was working in military and technical field of the Maoist party and had gone by the name of ‘Tech Ramana’ in his party.
He had worked as the secretary of the South Telangana Regional Committee (STRC) coordinating the naxalite movement in south Telangana districts.
Police recovered AK – 47 rifles from both the encounter sites. Both the slain leaders are of the State committee member level. While Appa Rao had a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, Reddy had a reward of Rs 5 lakh on him.
In Prakasam district, the exchange of fire took place around 6.15 p.m. yesterday on a hillock near Isullapaya penta village under Pullala Cheruvu police station limits.
“A combing team which was returning had cited four or five naxalites on top of a small hillock. Police encircled it and there was an exchange of fire in which one naxalite was killed. He was later identified as Sakhamuri Appa Rao”, Prakasam SP, V. Naveenchand told The Hindu from the encounter site on phone.
Sakhamuri Appa Rao, who operated under different names in the Maoist party, had earned the distinction of being both an ideologue and a military strategist.
He was arrested in Hyderabad city in 1993 and was in Chanchalguda central prison for seven years along with Patel Sudhakar Reddy (Central Committee member who was recently killed in Warangal).
After he was released on bail in January 2000, he went underground again and had worked for a long time in Andhra Orissa Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC).
Rao would have been in the Central Committee of the Maoist party, but was demoted by several ranks, after certain allegations were levelled against him by his party colleagues. Later he was elevated to the state committee member level and the time of his death, he was believed to be taking care of the State Military Commission in Andhra Pradesh.
Appa Rao, police records show, was accused of being a mastermind of almost all the major naxal-related incidents in Andhra Pradesh ranging from the abortive assassination attempt on former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Alipiri of Chittoor and killing of IPS officer K.S. Vyas in Hyderabad. Appa Rao hailed from Khanapur village of Warangal district.
Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao in Warangal adds:
Solipeta Kondal Reddy, a top maoist leader was killed in an encounter with the police in the wee hours of Friday near Kodishala village in Tadvai mandal here.
According to the information reaching here, the exchange of fire took place between the Maoist party naxals and special party of police in the early hours. Later, the police found one naxal dead and recovered one AK 47 weapon and some kitbags from the spot. The combing operations by the police were still continuing in the forest area.
Speaking to The Hindu, Superintendent of Police, Shah Nawaz Qasim said they received information about the movement of Maoist party naxals for the past 10 days and they were planning for major violence in the district. As per preliminary information, the slain naxal was identified as Solipeta Kondal Reddy alias Tech Ramana, he said.
The encounter that took place after a long time in the district created tension all over. Since early hours, it was widely rumoured that Mohannana of Praja Prathighatan who was most wanted by the district police for long was killed in the encounter. The police too were not sure of the party to which the naxals involved in the exchange of fire took place for quite sometime.
With the help of former naxals, the police succeeded in identifying the deceased and confirmed that they belonged to Maoist party.
Solipeta Kondal Reddy, the other top naxal leader was from Chittapur village in Medak district and had gone underground in 1988 while studying in Badruka college in Hyderabad.
He was arrested by Mahankali police in the state capital in 1992 and on being given bail, he went underground some six months later. He was working in military and technical field of the Maoist party and had gone by the name of ‘Tech Ramana’ in his party.
He had worked as the secretary of the South Telangana Regional Committee (STRC) coordinating the naxalite movement in south Telangana districts.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Maoists must give up violence before talks: Govt.
Responding to the ceasefire offer by Maoists, Government made it clear that it will not accept any pre-conditions for talks with “ifs and buts” and asked the militants to come out with a simple statement saying they will abjure violence.
“I would like no ifs, no buts and no conditions,” Home Minister P. Chidambaram said in a statement, a day after the CPI(Maoists) made a conditional ceasefire offer asking the Government to halt the offensive against them for 72 days and involve mediators for talks.
He said the Government has seen many versions of a statement reportedly made by the leaders of the CPI (Maoist). “In the absence of an authentic statement, Government is unable to respond to these versions,” the statement said.
Nevertheless, in order to clear the air, the Home Minister said, “I would like a short, simple statement from the CPI (Maoist) saying ‘We will abjure violence and we are prepared for talks’“.
“Once I receive the statement, I shall consult the Prime Minister and other colleagues and respond promptly,” he said.
Last night, top Maoist leader Kishenji told the media over the phone from an undisclosed place that “state governments and the Centre should not indulge in violence between February 25 and May 7 and concentrate on development of tribal areas which will be reciprocated by Maoists“.
He was responding to Mr. Chidamabaram’s statement last week that if the Maoists halted violence for 72 hours, the government would be ready for talks with them.
“I would like no ifs, no buts and no conditions,” Home Minister P. Chidambaram said in a statement, a day after the CPI(Maoists) made a conditional ceasefire offer asking the Government to halt the offensive against them for 72 days and involve mediators for talks.
He said the Government has seen many versions of a statement reportedly made by the leaders of the CPI (Maoist). “In the absence of an authentic statement, Government is unable to respond to these versions,” the statement said.
Nevertheless, in order to clear the air, the Home Minister said, “I would like a short, simple statement from the CPI (Maoist) saying ‘We will abjure violence and we are prepared for talks’“.
“Once I receive the statement, I shall consult the Prime Minister and other colleagues and respond promptly,” he said.
Last night, top Maoist leader Kishenji told the media over the phone from an undisclosed place that “state governments and the Centre should not indulge in violence between February 25 and May 7 and concentrate on development of tribal areas which will be reciprocated by Maoists“.
He was responding to Mr. Chidamabaram’s statement last week that if the Maoists halted violence for 72 hours, the government would be ready for talks with them.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Maoists blow up a portion of rail track in Jharkhand
Maoists blew up a stretch of railway track in Jharkhand’s Giridih district in the wee hours on the third day of their 72-hour shutdown today, affecting train services, the police said here.
The tracks were blown up under Nimiaghat police station in the district, Superintendent of Police Ravi Kant Dhan said.
“Trains on this section have been stopped on both up and down lines,” Parasnath station superintendent Mrutinjaya Kumar said, adding a couple of deafening explosions were heard around 2 a.m.
Maoists had on Sunday called a 72-hour bandh in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh to protest the proposed all-out offensive against them by the Centre.
They yesterday blew up railway tracks in Orissa and Bihar on the second day of their 72-hour bandh.
The tracks were blown up under Nimiaghat police station in the district, Superintendent of Police Ravi Kant Dhan said.
“Trains on this section have been stopped on both up and down lines,” Parasnath station superintendent Mrutinjaya Kumar said, adding a couple of deafening explosions were heard around 2 a.m.
Maoists had on Sunday called a 72-hour bandh in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh to protest the proposed all-out offensive against them by the Centre.
They yesterday blew up railway tracks in Orissa and Bihar on the second day of their 72-hour bandh.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Maoists trigger explosion in Howrah-Mumbai train route
Suspected Maoists blew away a portion of railway tracks in the wee hours on Monday near here causing derailment of a goods train and disruption of train services on the Howrah-Mumbai route.
A portion of the railway track at a place between Bhalulata and Jareikela, about 30 km from here, was blown up by suspected Maoists at 1 am leading to derailment of two wagons of a goods train, Rourkela railway station manager S.K. Panda told PTI.
However, there have been no reports of injury or casualty in the incident.
Following the blast, all trains on the Howrah-Mumbai route have been held up at different stations, Panda said, adding that explosives might also have been planted on the up-line of the route.
Maoists had called a 72-hour bandh on Sunday in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh to protest against a proposed all-out offensive “Operation Green Hunt” against them by the Centre.
A portion of the railway track at a place between Bhalulata and Jareikela, about 30 km from here, was blown up by suspected Maoists at 1 am leading to derailment of two wagons of a goods train, Rourkela railway station manager S.K. Panda told PTI.
However, there have been no reports of injury or casualty in the incident.
Following the blast, all trains on the Howrah-Mumbai route have been held up at different stations, Panda said, adding that explosives might also have been planted on the up-line of the route.
Maoists had called a 72-hour bandh on Sunday in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh to protest against a proposed all-out offensive “Operation Green Hunt” against them by the Centre.
