As forces arrive, Maoists disappear

Central forces have started arriving in Jharkhand, but some questions remain unanswered. Director general of police Vishnu Dayal Ram is tight-lipped. B Vijay Murty reports.

Central forces have started arriving in Jharkhand, but some questions remain unanswered. Director general of police Vishnu Dayal Ram is tight-lipped. “Some central forces have arrived and they are undergoing a short training to understand terrains. Further details cannot be revealed,” is all he will say.

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But a senior inspector-general who’s not authorised to speak to the media, told HT on condition of anonymity that 15 companies of paramilitary forces have already arrived and another 5,000 are expected shortly.

Another question is about the target. Highly-placed sources among the Maoists say that sensing the threat from the forces, several Naxals have put down arms and melted into the civilian population. “As it is harvest time, many have taken to farming,” he adds.

Earlier, CPI (Maoist) politburo member Kishenji had said, “I apprehend they (central forces) would indulge in large scale massacre of innocent people.”

“The Centre is waging war against its own people,” says Santosh Rana, general secretary of the provisional central committee of the CPI (ML) and senior Naxalbari movement leader.