Maoists operating in Odisha are facing a tough time due to quarrels between Odia, Telugu and Chhattisgarhi cadres for which top commanders are left in a worried state.
While luring Odia youths to join in Left Wing Extremist (LWE) group is getting more and more difficult, of late incidents of quarrel, scuffle and most importantly their disaffection for Guerrillas of other neighbouring States is posing a serious problem.
Intelligence inputs reveal that in Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) Region there are more instances of scuffles and quarrels between the cadres, for which Left Wing outfits are not able to scale up their activities.
While Maoists are recruiting low level cadres from Chhattisgarh, they are facing compatibility with seniors of Andhra Pradesh and middle rank cadre of Odisha, said sources. So, Maoists are facing tough time as to how to handle such emotional issues, which is telling upon their poor growth in the region.
Odia cadres are feeling alienated and this has resulted in more number of surrenders and setbacks for the LWE organization, reveal top cops working in the region.
Aggressive nature of Chhattisgarhi cadres and non compatibility with Odia and Telugu cadres has almost halted their activities in border region, admit officials.
According to sources, Maoists are still active in the region and more operations are required in cut off areas, which are now connected after major bridge on river Gurupriya.
While Maoists are facing adverse conditions in AOB region; however, they are now active in Central Odisha, where only Chhattisgarhi cadres are engaged in operation.
In areas like Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Rayagada and adjoining areas of Chhattisgarh they are active and trying to scale up their operations, sources said.
In Kalahandi these Maoists are active in Niyamgiri areas and trying to sabotage industrial and mining activities and raising their voice through various frontal organisations, revealed a top cop.
Hyperactive frontal organisations of Maoists are trying to mislead people on industrial development and mining operations, which are key to the development of these far flung areas. Land encroachers, mining mafias and others are trying to help the Ultras and their frontal organisations for malicious propaganda, police admit. Looking at the scenario, the State Government has time and again demanded to include Kalahandi as “Worst LWE Affected District”, so that operations by security forces of both State and Union Governments can be boosted.
However, repeated request by the State Government has not been acceded by the Union Government, pointed out a senior officer in the Department of Home.
Similarly, a request for deploying two more Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) for Odisha has not been accepted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
However, the State police are chalking out a strategy to actively seek engagements with the Ultras while on the other, joint operations are being chalked out to combat the Maoists, said sources.
