Killing of top Maoist leader Koteshwar Rao, alias Kishenji, has been seen as a major setback to the expansion plan of the outfit to Northeastern states, particularly in Assam and Manipur.
Indicating that Kishenji was trapped in an encounter while on his way back to Jungle Mahal area of West Bengal from his visit to Western Assam, authoritative security sources in the home ministry told this newspaper that “Central Military Commission of Maoist” headed by Nambala Keshaw had prepared a blue print for spreading its operations in the Northeastern states. Kishenji was one of the most active members of the 10-12-member commission, which had identified the northeast as one of the most important territories to spread its activities, security sources said adding that death of Kishenji would certainly have impact on those plans.
Moreover, Kishenji was among a few Maoist leaders in the Eastern Regional Bureau of Maoist who advocated for maintaining relationship with outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa).
It was Kishenji who propagated the idea of supporting the groups engaged in nationality struggle or separatist movements in the northeastern states.
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Naxals gun down block president
Rabindra Nath Choudhury
Raipur, Nov. 27
Naxals on Sunday unleashed mindless violence in Chhattis-garh’s Bastar region gunning down a local representative, damaging railway tracks leading to derailment of two freight trains and staging road blocks at many places on highways during a two-day bandh called to protest the recent killing of rebel leader Kishenji by security personnel.
Official reports reaching here from different parts of insurgency-hit Bastar region said a group of around 20-25 armed guerrillas attacked Koilibeda block president Prana-krishna Haldar by opening fire on him from close range when he was supervising procurement of paddy from local farmers in the village of Sate in Kanker district.
Mr Haldar died on the spot. The ultras left a leaflet with the body saying the elected representative was shot dead to avenge killing of their leader Kishneji. The Maoist sponsored two-day bandh in Bastar began on Saturday. The rebels also damaged railway tracks.