Maoists issue statement, say their fight not against security forces

The statement claimed that 28 Maoists have been killed in the last four months across the country and they have been able “to kill or injure nearly 100 policemen” during the same time

Published on: Apr 6, 2021, 12:00:17 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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The banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) has issued a statement claiming its fight is not against police or security forces while questioning Union home minister Amit Shah comments in the aftermath of the killing of 22 security personnel in an ambush in Chhattisgarh over the weekend.

Members of National Students Union of India (NSUI) light candles to pay tribute to soldiers, who were killed in an encounter with Naxals in Chhattisgarh. (PTI)

Shah, who visited Chhattisgarh on Monday, said the sacrifice of the 22 will be remembered for taking the battle against the extremists to a “decisive turn” and that the counter-insurgency battle will be intensified to take it to a “logical end”. The Maoists ambushed the forces after possibly luring them to an area near the Bijapur-Sukma border while they were out on a combing operation in a forest area.

Also Read | Fight against Maoists will continue at quicker pace: Chhattisgarh CM

“From whom Amit Shah will avenge? Oppressed people and Maoists are the same and day by day, the oppressed people are raising their voice against the capitalist and Brahminical government...” Maoist spokesman Abhay said in the statement on Monday.

“We believe that those getting recruited into the forces are also part of the exploited people and it is our compulsion to fight when they come with weapons to fight us. We have sympathies with the families of the deceased and CPI (Maoist) appeal to the people not to send their children to join the security forces.”

The statement claimed that 28 Maoists have been killed in the last four months across the country and they have been able “to kill or injure nearly 100 policemen” during the same time.

It cautioned Maoists over the newer technology being used by the state and urged them to be cautious while engaging with it.

The Maoists have also called for a nationwide bandh on April 26 in support of farmers’ protest against three farm laws passed in September.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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