The Maoist strike that claim-ed two lives in Rohtas district on Thursday gives a miniature view as to how such ultra radicalism takes root.
The police reached the site of the killing on Friday morning and said the act was committed by the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army, an outfit of the Communist Party of India (Maoist).
An army squad, led by 'zonal commander' Birendra Yadav alias Rana and his nephew, youth squad commander Sandesh Kushwaha, 18, killed a person called Badan Mahto and his son in Kenar village, 185 km south-west of Patna.
The squad, which local people said comprised about 70 people, sealed the village from all sides and reached the roof of Mahto's house.
The local Maoist squad commander laughs at him.
"Learn to use the gun and avenge your father’s killing yourself," Kushwaha is told.
The young man does just that. He joins the Maoists, learns to use guns and rises up the ranks.
Finally, leading a youth squad of around 70 Maoists, he descends on the village in which his father’s murderer, Badan Mahto, lives.
His battalion surrounds the village, cutting off all exits. With a small group, Kushwaha scales the wall and enters Mahto house. He orders all the residents out, barring Mahto and his son. He shoots them both dead.
{{/usCountry}}His battalion surrounds the village, cutting off all exits. With a small group, Kushwaha scales the wall and enters Mahto house. He orders all the residents out, barring Mahto and his son. He shoots them both dead.
{{/usCountry}}He steps out of the house, blows it up with dynamite, and leaves.
Kushwaha’s story was told in pamphlets left behind by the departing Maoists.
Police confirmed that the killings of Mahto and his son were carried out by a squad of the Maoists' armed wing — the People Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA) — and was led by Kushwaha and zonal commander Birendra Yadav alias Rana.
"We had intelligence that a Maoist squad was planning an attack," said Vikas Vaibhav, Superintendent of Police, Rohtas.
"But we thought they would attack the local jail where many captured Maoist leaders have been kept and beefed up security there."