Despite attempts to mobilise the masses to make Monday’s rally a success, Maoists and the Maoist backed People’s Committee against Police Atrocity (PCPA) are facing mixed reactions from the villagers. An intelligence report claims that the Maoists are largely banking on their door-to-door campaign carried out by Gyaneswari case accused Umakanta Mahato in parts of rural Jhargram.
“Umakanta Mahato had been trying to mobilise the villagers in Manickpara, Sardiha, Bakshole. Though the response from Manickpara and Sardiha has been mild, Umakanta has managed to influence the villagers in Bakshole where he did a door-to-door campaign,” revealed intelligence sources. The People’s Committee against Police Atrocity is banking on a “spontaneous response” from these areas.
Similar efforts have been put in by top Maoist leader Shashodhar Mahato alias Kiran, against whom CBI has recently announced an award money of Rs 2 lakhs. Shashodhar, had been given responsibility of Dohijuri area.
“Shashodhar has spent two days in Bandhgora trying to mobilise the local people. Thereafter he shifted base to Dahijuri for the same,” claimed the report.
Meanwhile, dreaded Maoist leader Madan Mahato is “in-charge” of Bhimpur, Satpati, Lalgeria, Madhupur, Memul and parts of Debogram. The report further claims that despite serious efforts in Ramgarh, the Maoists have failed to make a dent in that area that was once considered a Maoist citadel. Meanwhile, a directive in the PCPA has been issued across the senior PCPA leaders to “stay away from the rally.”
“After the announcement of the DGP that PCPA men who have cases against them will be arrested if seen in the rally, has scared everyone. A directive from the seniors (leaders) has been circulated — specially for those who have criminal cases against them. They have been asked to keep away from the rally venue,” revealed a PCPA member on condition of anonymity. However, PCPA members are expecting to make up for their absence with the villagers who have been asked to participate in the rally. Two from each family in every House has been asked to participate in the rally, revealed the PCPA member. PCPA secretary Manoj Mahato, who himself is a former student of the Lalgarh Ramkrishna Vidyalaya, is expected to skip the meet, despite his clarion call to the PCPA supporters to join the Trinamul Congress led rally.