Nov 20, 2010

External Linkages in the Lime Limelight

After some months, external links of the Naxals with the Maoists in Nepal were once again in the news with a report in the Kantipur online a Nepal daily highlighting on 11 October that Nepal’s Maoist People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had been imparting training to Indian Naxalite on Nepali soil.  Quoting the Indian Express, it said, "The Home Ministry (MHA) gave the details of the movement of Maoists from India to Nepal and vice-versa, and requested the respective state governments to be alert,” the daily reported. The report indicated that on June 28 five Maoists from Andhra Pradesh who were led by Comrade Pankaj from Bihar to Malangwa in Nepal and joined 20 trainees undergoing training by the PLA. 234 Maoists are also training in Nepal under supervision of Naxalite leaders like Vinod Gurung, Prakash Mahato, and LeT members like Latif Khan from Karachi and Razzaq Ansari. [Based on E Kantipur Report 11 October 2010].

There were reports that the Maoists have been going across to Nepal for training but these have not been confirmed so far and were in the form of allegations made. The Indian Maoists in turn had castigated the Unified CPN M Nepal or the Nepali Maoists for joining the political mainstream. However now that the media has confirmed such crossings  based on Government reports, the Nepal government in conjunction with New Delhi would have to take measures to ensure that this stream is contained and neutralized through political as well as border control measures which are well within the reach of both the sides. More over the Nepal government would also have to confront the Unified CPN M over the issue as it is apparent that all cadres and leaders have not left the armed path and some of them are continuing to operate under the cover of the main leadership having joined politics.

Reports on 24 October also indicated that the ubiquitous Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan was attempting to rope in separatist leaders in Kashmir and sympathisers to join up with the Naxals. Links have been noticed with Naxal penetration in Jammu and Kashmir as also reports of the plan by Masarat Alam, the Hurriyat leader in Kashmir having circulated a pamphlet about plan for strikes by separatists reportedly drafted by an over ground Naxal worker. Reports of the ISI having inducted assistance from the underworld gang of Dawood Ibrahim, to establish linkages have also emerged. Transfer of funds to the tune of Rs 25 Lakhs to Naxals in Andhra Pradesh through Hawala networks in Dubai has also been traced. These need to be investigated and contained as early as possible.

NOV 2010

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