Naxals call three-week bandh in Bastar

Downplaying the call,police said the rebels observe week-long bandh during the period every year and that vigil was being maintained. Reports said the Maoist pamphlets asked bus and taxi operators not to ply vehicles,government employees to abstain from duty and to close all tribal residential schools. The Naxal call is also considered as an attempt to disturb the panchayat elections in Dantewada and Bijapur on December 21.

IGP (Bastar range) T J Longkumer said,“We have information regarding the Naxal call for observing ‘jan pituri’ or revolutionary week from tomorrow. The police are verifying reports about the rebels’ plan to extend their campaign by two weeks”.

The CPI (Maoist) central committee has opposed the Centre’s proposed Rs 137.42 billion Integrated Action Plan to develop Naxal-affected areas,alleging that involving the police in the programme and placing district SPs in committees to monitor and implement it was an effort to put a “mask of development” to repressive measures.