Maoists change strategy, may abduct Trinamul leaders

13 December 2011

biswabrata goswami
MIDNAPORE, 13 DEC: Following the death of CPI (Maoist) Politburo member Mallojula Koteswara Rao, alias Kishenji, in an alleged encounter at Burisole forest in West Midnapore, the rebels are believed to have changed their strategies.
According to Intelligence inputs, the Maoists are now planning to abduct a few Trinamul Congress leaders, including paschimanchal unnayan affairs minister Mr Sukumar Hansda. The security forces, who are engaged in search operation for Venugopal Rao, brother of slain Kishenji, Suchitra Mahato, wife of slain Maoist commander Sasadhar Mahato, and few others top rebel leaders, are now worried for possible abduction bid of political leaders in Junglemahal. It is believed that the Maoist leaders are now hiding in different forests bordering Jharkhand and Orissa.  
Concerned of the Maoist threat, the state government has already enhanced security of ministers and MLAs from Junglemahal. “The state government is preparing a separate strategy and special security zone for the Midnapore range. The government is working on a strategy, based on local Intelligence inputs, as Maoists are targeting local leaders and supporters. It is not only Mr Mahato, but several other Trinamul Congress MPs and MLAs are also facing threat from the Maoists," a senior police official said.
A few days before Kishenji was gunned down, Maoists put up posters at different places in Lalgarh asking Trinamul leaders to resign from their posts. The rebels alleged that chief minister Miss Mamata Banerjee had failed to keep her poll promises.
In the past few days, the Maoists carried out attacks in Jharkhand and Bihar, parts of the Maoists Corridor. At present, the state government is trying to wipe out fear from the residents of Junglemahal. The state government organised Junglemahal Cup Football Tournament, 2011 and provided rations to poor tribals and mobilised people with placards “Not war, we want peace” to dispel fear, said Trinamul Congress MP Mr Subhendu Adhikari. “The situation after Kishenji's death is normal. At first we need to ensure that armed rebels don’t roam around freely. The joint forces will take necessary actions to tackle the problem," he added.  But in Junglemahal, youths, who have applied for junior constables’ posts, are unaware of political promises and more concerned about livelihood: “I don't know if this has something to do with development. I am just trying to get a job,” said a youth.