The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Cosy comforts fail to floor naxal leaders, guards

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 16, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Cosy comforts fail to floor naxal leaders, guards

By N. Rahul

HYDERABAD, OCT. 15. Here is a grim reminder for people who maybe under an illusion that naxalites in the city for peace talks on Friday maybe enjoying a luxurious life as State guests at the invitation of the Government.

They have asked the authorities of Manjeera Government guest house where they are lodged to switch off the air-conditioners in their rooms. They are doing only with ceiling fans. When a sumptuous food was served for them, they have declined to accept anything more than rice, dal and one variety of curry.

At least four to five persons are sharing a suite in the guest house. Besides five top leaders of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and the Janashakti, there are 30 guards, including four women, of the People's Guerrilla Liberation Army (PGLA) and 10 of the Janashakti in the entourage. The guards are provided uniforms, specially purchased for the talks.

Food restrictions

The restrictions in food and other comforts imposed on themselves by naxalites came to light during a casual interaction of media with the guards, the first since they have arrived in the city, as both loitered aimlessly at Marri Channa Reddy Institute of Human Resource Development during the talks.

The guards are well trained in military techniques and members of the elite striking force of the hitherto People's War. The slightly built guards made it clear that they avoided the comforts extended by the Government in order not to get habituated to them. At the institute, however, they partook in lunch with others not to make things obvious.

As people gathered around the guards during the interaction swelled in number, a woman guard rushed out from the main building and asked mediamen not to make searching enquiries into their routine. The guards refused to identify themselves by their names or native places. One of them said it was a new experience for them to move in the State capital. The places they were visiting were new to them. They did not want to see such places again as they were bound to return to forest and serve the poor.

Risks in forest

Explaining the hazards of moving in the forest, a guard said they faced a threat from wild bores as they were hidden in bushes and one did not know until he was attacked. He said they did not attack wild animals unless it became inevitable.

Even consumption of the meat was under compelling circumstances. The threats of snake or scorpion bite were part of their hazardous life.

The guards also kept a watch on the vehicles of naxalties parked on the campus.

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