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Naxals' have links with Nepal Maoists

     New Delhi: The Centre today said that Naxal outfits in the country were reported to have ideological and logistic links with Nepalese Maoists. Informing the Lok Sabha about this in a written reply, Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal, however, ruled out having any report to suggest links between the Naxalites and the Pakistan-based banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. Jaiswal told the Lower House that the government has been pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to counter the menace of terrorism on political, developmental and security fronts.

    "The measures taken by the Government include strengthening of border management to check infiltration, galvanizing the intelligence machinery, ensuring improved technology, weaponry and equipment for security forces both at the Centre and in the States, neutralizing plans of terrorist/anti-national elements through well co-ordinated intelligence-based operations," he said. Besides, the government has also taken steps to achieve bilateral and multi-lateral co-operation to deal with the menace of terrorism, given its global dimensions, Jaiswal added.

     Intelligence agencies have for long been warning that Indian Naxal groups are working with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) to create a "Compact Revolutionary Zone" that spreads from Nepal into Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. The "Combat Revolutionary Zone" spreads from Nepal through Bihar and the Dandakaranya region of Andhra Pradesh. The Naxals are now reportedly engaged in plugging gaps in north Bihar and North Chhattisgarh to complete the CRZ. According to Home Ministry's annual report (2004-05), at present, 76 districts in nine states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are affected by Naxalite violence in varying degrees. However, latest intelligence reports say that armed Naxalites have a presence in 174 districts across 15 states of the country as of now, and spreading wide and far.

      Chhattisgarh is considered the worst hit among the Maoist- infested States. Maoists, who claim to be fighting for landless farmers and poor peasants, have killed at least 180 civilians, mostly tribesmen, since January in the State. Because of Naxal violence over 54,000 people of 644 villages of Dantewada and Bijapur districts are staying in 24 relief camps, being run by the State government. The CPML-PW and the MCCI (now CPI-Maoist) have been trying to increase their influence and operations in some parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala also. The Naxalites have an assessed strength of around 9300 hard-core underground cadres and a holding of around 6500 regular weapons besides a large number of unlicensed country-made arms. They have built up expertise in fabricating Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)/ Landmines that they use with telling effect. Besides, Naxal outfits continue to stress on upgradation of military capabilities. Intelligence agencies in New Delhi say that they have been warning the Centre of further complications emerging in the Naxal activities. Among them is the easy access they have to modern sophisticated weapons from Europe and rest of the world. The Home Ministry in its report has stated that the merger is likely to amplify the Naxal menace particularly in the states of West Bengal, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh where both the erstwhile CPML-PW and MCCI enjoyed organisational as well as military influence, combining the mass activities of the MCCI with the military prowess of the CPML-PW to their advantage.

Nepal told of extortion of Indians by Maoists

      New Delhi: India on Tuesday urged Nepal to investigate the complaints filed by Indian businessmen and industrial units there of extortion by Maoists. Speaking to newspersons, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Navtej Sarna said that the government has urged Nepal to investigate into the matter and provide security and safety to the Indian nationals in Nepal. Sarna also confirmed a complaint received in the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu from Rakesh Wadhwa, Executive Director of Nepal Recreation Centre Private Limited. The complaint was about a threat received from the Maoist affiliated, All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union. "On receipt of this complaint, we have taken up the matter strongly with the Government of Nepal through our Embassy," he said. Asserting that India was in constant touch with Nepal on the issue, he said there have been incidents of extortion against businessmen and industrial units, including Indian joint ventures in Hetauda-Birgunj area. "Cases involving Indian joint ventures have been taken up with the Government of Nepal including at the highest levels," he added. However, Sarna said he would not like to characterise the situation in a mould to show that it was an "alarmist situation". Reports said that two Indians working in casinos in Kathmandu were forced to leave their posts in favour of Nepalese nationals on being threatened by a Maoist trade union. It was also reported that Indians in Kathmandu were getting death threats and 24-hour deadlines to leave the country with their belongings.

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