Communist Terror: All’s not well in the world of Naxalites

MUMBAI: A diary written by a top Maoist guerrilla and in possession of DNA reveals that all is not well in the world of Naxalites.

The diary, which was seized from a hideout of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) guerrilla by the Jharkhand Police, reveals deep discontent among the cadre.

One noting in the 17-page diary says: “Rivalry is there between the cadre of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal... all internal problems should be solved through discussion in a family-like manner.” The diary also notes that commanders do not take care of their comrades and juniors.

“Commanders do not pay proper attention to their sick comrades,” it says. “To make matters worse casteism has infiltrated the rank and file of the guerrilla units.” The diary also notes the “regular quarrels” among units and says,
“On some occasions the comrades blamed others for their blind addiction to liquor.”

The diary notes the objections that were raised about the way some commanders behaved with their female counterparts in platoon political committee meetings. There is a need to maintain and sustain discipline among the ground-level fighters for the sake of carrying the movement forward, the diary notes.

Apart from tracking dissensions within the cadre, the diary also reveals how homemade weapons are made. One such noting says, “The guerrillas are advised to soak bamboo sticks in human excreta and keep it hidden and pointed at the enemy, as it is believed that injury caused by the poles would be fatal. These are subsidiary ways of warding off the police and other members of the paramilitary force.”

The diary clearly spells out the guerrilla strategy, which emphasises effective movement, ambush tactics and reconnaissance. “During the recce the cadre should concentre on eliciting detail of the strengths and weaknesses of the police sentry posts in that area and permanent installations like buildings,” it notes.

The review report of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), a copy of which is with DNA, reveals a 77 per cent increase in police casualties from attacks by the Maoist-Naxalites, as compared to last year.