The CPI (Maoist) has succeeded in making strong inroads in Assam with security agencies confirming the presence of nearly 40 armed cadres who were trained in two separate training camps — first in Jharkhand and second in the frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Disclosing that CPI (Maoist) has also roped in at least 150 overground hardcore workers, propagating Maoist ideology among the youths in Assam, authoritative security sources told this newspaper that Akalanta Rabha alias Maheshji who was arrested recently had also succeeded in establishing link with some Khasi youths in Meghalaya with the help of a woman activists.
Asserting that security agencies have got concrete evidence on training camps of CPI (Maoist) cadres in Arunachal Pradesh, security sources said that Prakant Bose, heading the eastern bureau of CPI (Maoist) was looking after the activities of the outfit in the northeast from Jharkhand.
Pointing out that Maheshiji who hails from Goalpara in Assam was not active for quite some time and wanted his release from the organisation, security sources said that Prakant Bose motivated him to start recruitment of new cadres and assigned task of strengthening the organisation in Assam and Meghalaya.
Before joining the CPI (Maoist) in 1996-97, Maheshji was also the secretary of All Rabha Students Union in the state.
Maheshji who was also getting salary from its central committee for himself and his supporting staff cadres, was also doing a business of direct trading of consumer products.
In the process he met a Khasi woman who not only got influenced by his ideology but also invited for a meeting with local youths in villages bordering Assam in Meghalaya. However, before his meeting, police arrested him.
Security sources referring the investigation of the security agencies said that CPI (Maoist) had signed an agreement with Peoples Liberation Army of Manipur for arms supply but off late they had started targeting the sophisticated weapons in possession of other militant outfits in Assam.