Naxals struggle as lockdown hits supply chain of essentials
As a result, the Naxals have now started snatching asignificant part of the ration distributed to villagers underthe Public Distribution System (PDS) in Bastar division duringthe ongoing crisis, the officials said.
Bastar region, spread over an area of about 40,000 sqkm, is considered a stronghold of ultras and comprises sevendistricts of Dantewada, Bijapur, Bastar, Narayanpur,Kondagaon, Sukma and Kanker.
"As per the preliminary information, Maoists' supplynetworks are facing a challenge to operate due to therestrictions imposed to prevent the spread of virus. To meettheir need of essentials, Naxals are putting extra pressure onlocal villagers," Inspector General of Police (Bastar range)Sundarraj P told .
In the past as well, the local militia cadres of theoutlawed CPI (Maoist) used to take ration from villagers andask them to cook food for their group of about 10-15 members,but the bigger formations of Naxals arrange food and essentialcommodities through their designated supply team, he said.
Haat bazaars or village markets held in remote areasof Bastar, which have been closed due to the lockdown, servedas an ideal destination for Maoist couriers to procure rationand items of daily use. Besides, local cadres also visit townareas to arrange such things, he said.
"But the fear of being caught if they move to urbanareas in the current situation, Maoist couriers are preferringto arrange these things from local villagers resulting inburden on innocent tribals, who do not dare to refuse them,"he said.
Dantewada Superintendent of Police Abhishek Pallavasaid that security forces have been launching operations ongetting inputs about Maoists looting the ration of villagersin remote areas in his district.
"We are constantly getting tip-offs that Naxals aresnatching the month's ration of villagers in Kirandul andBhansi police station area of Dantewada," he said.
Notably, the state government has been providing twomonths (March and April) ration at one go free of cost to BPLcardholders across the state during the lockdown.
"Out of fear, villagers do not dare to report theseincidents to police. Acting on one such input, we had launchedan operation on April 16 in the forests along Dantewada-Bijapur border, during which a Naxal was killed in agunfight," Pallava said.
Despite a complete ban on holding religious and socialgatherings, Naxals have been convening meetings of villagersdeep inside the jungles and taking away their ration.
This reflects Maoists' insensitivity toward tribals inthis period of crisis, he said.
Another police official posted in Bastar said, Maoistscarry out annual 'tactical counter offensive campaign' (TCOC)in summer, during which they intensify their offensive againstthe security forces.
In the initial part of the campaign, they generallystock a huge quantity of ration and other essential items,which would help them during their three-month (March-May)long offensive.
"Scarcity of supplies could have an impact on theirconventional warfare strategy in the coming days," theofficial added. TKPNP NP