Maoists shift focus, target Tatas and urban areas

RED TERROR: Maoists promise more jailbreaks in planned media interviews.

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Rohit Khilnani

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From an undisclosed location in Chattisgarh: A day after Naxals launched massive attacks in Orissa killing 15 people, security forces are intensifying pressure on them

But the Naxals now seem to be shifting targets. The Tata Group is now at the top of their hit list. And as recent attacks show, so are urban areas.

The Government is adding five more battalions of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to Chhattisgarh.

"If Sonuji (a CPI (Maoist) Politburo member) is making the statements on behalf of the Maoists, that's their point of view. My job is to push them back," Vishwa Ranjan, Director General of Police, Chattisgarh says.

But even though the Naxals are a spent force in Andhra, they promise more attacks and jailbreaks in planned media interviews.

"Jehanabad jailbreak was good for us. The Dantewara jailbreak of December 16 was also good. Several central committee members are still in jail. A few are in jail because of our weaknesses,” CPI (Maoist) Politburo member Comrade Sonu told CNN-IBN in an exclusive interview at an undisclosed occasion in Chattisgarh.

As the attack on the outskirts of Bhubaneshwar shows, the Maoists are taking the battle closer to the seats of government. Corporations like the Tatas are on their hit list now.

“Our struggle is on. For example in Lohandiguda, land is being grabbed for the Tatas. Lohandiguda is near Jagadalpur. We are not there but people are fighting there,” Comrade Sonu said.

While the Maoists remain committed to violence, they too complain about human rights violations.

“Large scale human rights violations are taking place. Thousands are being put in Dantewara jail, Jagdalpur Jail and Raipur Jail by the Salwa Judum gundas (goons) and the police,” Sonu added.

Even with the Indian security forces breathing down their necks, the Maoist Politburo were able to meet in the forests of Chattisgarh to chalk out a fresh nationwide strategy.

At the moment, the Maoists insist they are a step ahead in their war on the Indian state.