Ramanna claims responsibility
Top Maoist leader Ramanna on Tuesday claimed responsibility for Monday’s attack on a passenger bus at Chingawaram, in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district, which left 35 people dead (24 civilians and 11 policemen).
Ramanna, currently leading the Maoist movement in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region as secretary, Dandakaranya committee, a wing of the banned CPI (Maoist), told a local Hindi news TV channel over the telephone from an undisclosed location that his unit had carried out the killings to avenge the “murders” of two villagers in Dantewada district a couple of days ago by policemen who he claimed had branded them Naxalites.
He, however, regretted the civilian casualties, saying, “We have no intention of targeting innocent people. They just became unintentional victims when we targeted the special police officers travelling on the bus.”
The rebel, who belongs to Andhra Pradesh, said his outfit would continue to target the security forces, such as the Greyhounds of AP, Koya Commandos and special police officers of Chhattisgarh, the police forces of states and the CRPF.
He also dismissed claims by Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh that the CPI (Maoist) had been steadily losing its base in the state. He said his outfit still enjoyed the unflinching support of the poor and neglected masses, which have been exposed to the threat of displacement due to mining projects.
He also denied reports that his outfit generates Rs 1,400 crores yearly from extortion, kidnapping and drug-peddling, saying, “This is false propaganda launched by the government to defame us in public.”
We have no resources and depend on the people for our daily needs, like clothing and food.”
On whether they are getting support from some political parties and politicians, he quipped, “Some lend us support. How can we turn them down?” He, however, refused to identify these political parties and politicians.
He also put a rider on accepting the Centre’s talks offer. “We have three conditions. First, withdraw Central paramilitary forces deployed in some areas. Second, shelve Operation Green Hunt against us. Third, release our top leaders who are currently in judicial custody,” he said, adding that meaningful negotiation with the government would begin only after these demands had been fulfilled.
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