Maoists to expand into TN, Karnataka, Kerala

Hyderabad, Aug 7: Maoists plan to spread to new states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala in a big way.

The party would initially concentrate on bases in TN and Karnataka and then open itself in Kerala later. The Maoist leadership is of the opinion that new areas should be concurrently developed along with development in one area. As such the Maoist cadres have been foraying into the Nalamalla Hills, Tirumala Hills (Seshachalam Hills) and Satyamangalam forest stretch since three years. These forests are interlinked between Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, according to sources.

However, they have plans not to expose themselves in Kerala and would operate only through cover organizations as there is Marxist Govt in Kerala and would come out openly later when situation is ripe.

Already the Maoists were successful in attracting the elements of TNLF (Tamil National Liberation Force) a separatist group in TN having links with LTTE of Tamil Nadu and also with slain forest brigand Veerappan's gang. The Maoists also befriended the supporters base of the Veerappan in Kolar district of Karnataka.

Kolar district is close to Satyamangalam forest. But their plans received a blow with the arrest of TNLF State Secretary Ganeshan in 2003. However, the base continues to exist, according to sources.

The Maoists forayed into the Kerala Hill tracts that is contigous with Satyamangalam forests via MM Hills (Veerapan terrirory)., Neelagiri Hills in Tamil Nadu. Neelagiri Hills are also stretching till Mysore in Karnataka and even touch Kerala through Errackad hills and the silent valley. They had mobilized the Adivasis in rebellion in Kerala and developed a good intellectual base, the same base which they lost earlier during the earlier Naxal uprising in Kerala in 1970s and subsequent repression.

The Maoists also concentrated in developing their movement in Karnataka but however received a blow with the encounter killing of the State Secretary V Saketh Rajan of Karnataka in 2005.

Saketh Rajan earlier worked in North Telangana and with the same experience developed a Maoist base in North Karnataka , Malnadu area, and the Konkan Hills, according to sources.

The Maoists already forayed into Malnadu area especially the coffee plantation Hills by mobilizing the coffee plantation workers and launching agitations. The party leadership has plans to develop itself a shelter and support base in the western Ghats right from Mangalore belt till Karwar in Karnataka.

The Maoist leadership has plans to develop a continuous Hill area shelter right from the heart of the Nalamalla Hills in AP and right up to the Indian Ocean, via the Hills of the Karnataka , Tamil Nadu and Kerala which are bestowed with ever green forests and offer good shelter. The party had already developed a support base in these forests and is of the opinion that the state polices of TN, Karnataka and Kerala would take atleast 5 years to perfect themselves in anti Naxal operations and this was time enough for the party to recoup itself in AP and other parts of the country, the sources added.

The target groups of the Maoists 1)Kerala: Tea and Rubber Plantation workers, Tribals.

2)Karnataka: Coffee plantation workers, Tribal base of Veerappan (after the death of Veerappan the tribals were without any leadership and the vaccum is being filled by the Maoists).

3)Tamil Nadu: Tamil National Chauvinists, Veerappan followers, Tribals, LTTE sympathizers. The party is of the pinion that the Tamil aggressiveness should be properly utilized and it would yield rich dividends to the party and the movement. It is also running 2 magazines one for women and other for working class in TN in the name of Makkal Panpodu. The party already has many cover Trade Union organizations operating in the Industrial belts in the state. There are 4 to 5 Dalams operating in the state including in Urban areas.

The party has specific plans to develop a Industrial worker base and base among various deprived sections including fishermen in the TN Coast, Kerala Coast and Karnataka especially in and around Mangalore (KTK) and Rameswaram (TN). The party is of the opinion that with out a strong coastal base it cannot expect supply points in future for its revolution especially weapons, explosives , provisions from various sources like LTTE , International Arms smugglers.

There are reports that the Maoist leadership had already scouted the Maharashtra and Gujarat coasts especially the various landing points of the smugglers. However, their efforts to develop contacts and base were not fruitful. The increased vigilance on these coasts made them scout for a shelter / supply in TN / Kerala / Karnataka coasts.

There are reports that Maoists in the past took the help of LTTE for conducting training camps to Maoist cadre in Dandakaranya forest area of Andhra Pradesh in 1989. Later, Maoists again took the help of LTTE to give guerilla warfare training to Maoist cadre in 1999.

If strong coastal base is established the Maoists can contact LTTE more easily.

UNI