Home Ministry cautions states of possible Naxal backlash

The warning comes as there is a possibility of retaliatory action after the arrest of Delhi University professor G N Saibaba for his alleged Maoist links

The top leadership of the Naxals have directed the cadres to carry out attacks on security forces as a retaliatory action against the arrest of Delhi University professor G N Saibaba for his alleged Maoist links, the Home Ministry has said.

In an advisory to nine Naxal-affected states, the Home Ministry said the CPI(Maoist), while publicly denying that Saibaba is a senior member of the organisation, has instructed its armed cadres, especially in Dandakaranya region, to carry out retaliatory strike against security forces.

Besides, the CPI(Maoist) has requested certain pro-Naxal activists and academics to undertake agitations in Delhi and other places for his release and some overground workers have contacted Maoist sympathisers in the media to write articles highlighting Saibaba's physical disability and portray police investigation in bad light, the advisory said.

Quoting fresh intelligence inputs which suggested that the top leadership of CPI(Maoist) is "extremely perturbed" by the recent arrest of the Delhi University teacher, the Home Ministry said security forces should exercise utmost vigilance and guard against possible IED attacks during the next few weeks.