The current spurt in violent activities and abductions by Maoists across several states is mainly to divert attention from a meeting of top leaders taking place at the Jharkhand-Odisha border, said sources. On Tuesday, 12 CRPF Jawans were killed in landmine blasts at Gadchiroli in Maharashtra.
The Special Intelligence Branch of the State Police’s Anti-Naxal Agency said the ongoing tactical counter offensive campaign of Mao-ists was to ensure that the security forces and police were kept busy elsewhere.
“The Maoists usually resort to tactical counter offensive campaigns every summer and winter. This year, the surprise element is that it started very early. Fearing a combing operation by the para-military forces as the forests have dried up, the Maoists have resorted to these attacks.
Sources said that Tuesday’s landmine blasts were carried out by the West Bastar Division of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee. “Though North Gadchiroli falls in Maharashtra, it is part of the West Bastar Division of DK. One Ravula Srinivas alias Ramanna is the secretary of the Dandakaranya committee. He replaced Kosa alias Satynarayana Reddy. The blasts were the handiwork of AP Maoists,” said the official.
Meanwhile, the state has been put on high alert and political leaders in Adilabad district have been asked not to tour the interior areas.