The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : SP's killing in Bihar creates fear in naxal-affected areas

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 07, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

SP's killing in Bihar creates fear in naxal-affected areas

By Our Staff Reporter

KARIMNAGAR, JAN. 6. The landmine blast, which was triggered by the CPI (Maoist) group of naxalites and killed the Andhra Pradesh-born IPS officer, Surendra Babu, and six others in Munger district of Bihar on Wednesday, has created fear in the naxalite-affected Karimnagar district.

The powerful landmine blast in Bihar was a like a rude shock to the people Karimnagar who were otherwise enjoying the fruits of ceasefire for seven months now.

Politicians and police are a worried lot as the same naxalite group, which was engaged in peace talks in the State, resorted to violence in Bihar on Wednesday.

Several police officials of the district fear that the Maoists' violence may also escalate in the district as they have been regrouping by resorting to massive recruitments, procurement of arms and ammunition and also taking up mining operations in the forests as well as in the plain regions of the district.

Strengthening cadre

The Maoists' strength, which was hardly 50 before the peace talks process, has increased to over 150 with the formation of new dalams. Surprisingly, the Maoist group, which had faded out in Karimnagar division mostly in the plain regions, resurfaced with the formation of new dalams.

The police have recovered six landmines planted on a road in Jammikunta mandal and also recovered a two mines and a DBBL weapon from a supplier.

On the other hand, the Janashakthi group which was completely wiped out from the district with the surrender of naxalites en masse along with their weapons, have also regrouped in the Sircilla division.

Expressing shock over the land mine blast in the Bihar state by the Maoists group, a senior police officer of the district feared that naxalite violence might recur in the district with more intensity.

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