CPM hits back at Naxal supporters

In the light of the killing of five of its activists by Maoists in West Bengal,the CPM on Saturday prodded civil rights groups....

In the light of the killing of five of its activists by Maoists in West Bengal,the CPM on Saturday prodded civil rights groups and intellectuals sympathetic to the Left-wing insurgents to explain whether they are defending the ultras so that they can carry on such political killings.

Though the message was aimed at intellectuals and writers in Bengal who have sided with outfits like the Maoist-backed Peoples Committee against Police Atrocities and spoken out in favour of the insurgents in the past,the language was somewhat similar to that of the Union Home Ministry which had time and again asked civil rights groups to condemn Maoist violence.

The civil rights groups and intellectuals who support the Maoists by speaking out only against the police and paramilitary operations must answer the question are they defending the Maoists so that they carry on such killings of political opponents with impunity, a CPM Politburo member said.

Story continues below this ad

Last week,the Home Ministry pointed out that some Maoist leaders have been contacting certain NGOs and intellectuals to propagate their ideology and indirectly warned civil society representatives of action under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for supporting insurgents.

Condemning the killing,the CPM said it exposed the true nature of Maoists and busts the manufactured campaign that they are engaged in a struggle to defend the cause of tribal people and other oppressed sections. All those killed were agricultural labourers.