Target politicians in Jharkhand and Salwa Judum activists in Chhattisgarh. This, according to security analysts, is the new strategy of Naxalites as they try to counter mass mobilisation against them.The massacre in Giridih, where former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi’s son Anup Marandi was among 18 killed by Naxals on Friday night, is the second high-profile strike in Jharkhand after Sunil Mahato’s killing in March. The two have been punctuated by a series of smaller attacks on persons believed to be associated with the Nagrik Suraksha Samiti (NSS). This, incidentally, is the organisation Mahato helped build — an achievement that made him a prime target for Naxalites.Marandi and his family members are also believed to have become targets due to their efforts to reach out to people in Naxalite-dominated areas. Government sources here expressed concern over the targeting of politicians by Naxalites. The Home Ministry has been in touch with state Governments for proper security wherever required for leaders and members of social groups active in Naxal areas.Friday night’s killings came weeks after the Naxal threat was reviewed minutely at the highest level. The occasion was the national conference of Director-Generals and Inspector-Generals of Police. Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh were among the states that came under the scanner due to the high incidence of Naxal-related violence. Police officers from the affected states agreed to the need for a joint mechanism to combat the insurgents.The Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from the Jharkhand Government. “We are in touch with the Jharkhand and Bihar Governments. Officials from both the states are coordinating on the matter,” Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta said when asked about the Giridih attack.Officers monitoring anti-Naxal operations in Jharkhand also point out that Anup Marandi’s killing came after several police successes in recent months. “Nearly a dozen important leaders have either been killed or arrested. They were obviously looking to retaliate,” an officer said.CRPF personnel have, meanwhile, begun combing operations in the region amid fears that the assailants had come from Bihar’s Jamui district and would try to go back. “They (the Naxalites) have clearly declared that they will target people who try to oppose them. That’s why Salwa Judum is a target in Chhattisgarh. Their whole strategy is based on mass mobilisation. It’s a question of winning over people to their side,” said Ajai Sahni of the Institute of Conflict Management.
