Maoists in state of panic over tribal stronghold base reducing: Expert

With the Maoist tribal base dwindling in parts of Orissa and Jharkhand, the left wing extremists appear to be in a state of panic, and are killing innocent farmers to instill fear among people in the region.

A few days ago, a group of 30-40 Maoists killed a tribal farmer in Jogipalur village in Koraput District of Jharkhand, accusing him of being a police informer.

Giving an explanation about the Maoist modus operandi, IDSA Research Fellow Anshuman Behera said: "They have to show their presence to the people that they are there. These kinds of stray incidents of violence will be carried out by the Maoists because they need to prove to their people and their cadre that they exist."

According to media reports around 1600 members of the violent rebel organization Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) have surrendered since January 2013.

This is an alarming situation for the Maoists, and to revive their fortunes they are threatening poor tribals and villagers with dire consequences if they don't support them.

"The Naxal movement in India is in a static position. There are reports that they are recruiting people, there are reports that they are mobilizing. In some parts Orissa and Jharkhand, as usual mobilization may be going on but the truth is that they have been downsized. The security system has been beefed up in many parts of the Naxal affected states. The government has taken up various developmental programs to win over the hearts and minds of people. The Naxal movement that was 10 years back will not be the same again," Behera said.

Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh has unleashed a reign of terror in Narayanpatna block of Koraput District in Jharkhand and forcibly acquired thousands of acres of land from farmers.