Maoists look to build links with separatists

The Maoists are planning to build a network with the separatist groups of India, the focus being on those operating in the Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).

The Maoists are planning to build a network with the separatist groups of India, the focus being on those operating in the Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).

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Among the groups the Maoists support are United Liberation Front of Asom, National Socialist Council of Nagaland, Tripura National Volunteers, and many J&K separatist outfits.

“To make the Maoist movement more effective, better coordination with other separatist groups working in the Northeast and Kashmir is of paramount importance,” said Koteshwar Rao alias Kishenji, a politburo member of the banned CPI (Maoist).

The Maoists also support statehood demands in Vidharbha (Maharashtra), Telangana (AP), Coorg (Karnataka) and Gorkhaland (Bengal).

A coordination committee comprising members from each of the separatist groups will be set up. Rao said the organisation was in touch with Northeast rebel groups to achieve “sovereignty for the people of Asom, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and surrounding areas”.