The killing of Bihar Military Police assistant sub-inspector Lucas Tete, a tribal, by the Maoists in Bihar, has sparked anger in Jharkhand over the treatment meted out to tribals by the rebels and the Bihar government.
"The Nitish Kumar government did not work sincerely to secure my husband's release because we are poor and adivasi (tribal)," Pyari Tete told HT on the phone from her village in Simdega district on Monday.
Last year, Maoists in Jharkhand took hostage a tribal special branch inspector, Francis Induwar and beheaded him in Taliban style.
Increasing attacks on tribals by the rebels who profess to be pro-poor have prompted tribal politicians in the state to voice their anger at the Maoists.
Stephen Marandi, former deputy chief minister said, "Of the four hostages, the Maoists picked and killed a tribal and no politician reacted."
"It is unfortunate that the Maoists are killing tribals, for whose protection they had supposedly picked up arms," he said.
Jharkhand Director General of Police Neyaz Ahmad said there is no dispute over the fact that Maoists have always exploited the tribals. He said recent arrests of top rebel leaders revealed their bias against their tribal comrades.
{{/usCountry}}Jharkhand Director General of Police Neyaz Ahmad said there is no dispute over the fact that Maoists have always exploited the tribals. He said recent arrests of top rebel leaders revealed their bias against their tribal comrades.
{{/usCountry}}"Adivasis are never allowed to collect levies," said Ahmad, noting, "Families of non-tribal Naxal leaders lead a lavish life and their children go to the best of schools in cities."