The CPI(Maoist) have built a strong foothold in Assam — a move which is raising heckles in the security establishment. Contrary to the perception that the Reds are still trying to make forays in the region, it is now revealed that more than two dozen armed cadres are operating in Upper Assam.
The Maoists are consolidating base in Barak Valley by intensifying mass struggles over local issues and problems in tea gardens and rural areas. They have already visited Cachar Hills this January where they have got support to form an area committee.
The Assam-based cadres of the banned outfit are getting training in Dandakaranya forests, it is revealed during interrogation of top central committee member Aklanta Rabha alias Mahesh Saikia recently arrested by the security forces on the outskirts of Guwahati city. The report has been shared with the Union home ministry.
Rabha hails from Goalpara district of Assam and had been associated with erstwhile Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) since 1996 up to the formation of the CPI(Maoist) when he was made a CC member.
Rabha has confessed to the existence of Upper Assam Leading Committee (UALC), Lower Assam Zonal Committee (LAZC) and Barak Valley Committee (BVC) of the CPI(Maoist) in Assam. He revealed that the Assam cadres are not limiting themselves to the northeast region but enjoy presence in some of the worst Naxal-affected districts of the country. He claimed that the Assam cadres have joined the Dandakaranya special zonal committee and the Bihar-Jharkhand-North Chhattisgarh special area committee of the CPI(Maoist) of the outfit.
The DKSZC, is the most notorious Maoist unit which controls the “liberated zone” comprising southern Chhattisgarh, parts of Maharashtra, Andhra and Orissa.
The unit has been instrumental in carrying out some of the most brutal Naxal attacks in the country, including the deadly Naxal attack on Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh.