Indian Maoists have links in Philippines, Europe: Government

In a revelation that adds a new dimension to the Left-wing extremism in the country, the government Tuesday said Maoists in India have "close links" with Maoist groups in the Philippines and Turkey, and even draw support from fringe organisations in countries such as Germany, France, Holland and Italy.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju informed the Lok Sabha that there was no specific intelligence input to indicate that Maoists were getting external or foreign assistance.

"However, the CPI-Maoist party has close links with foreign Maoist organisations in the Philippines, Turkey etc. The outfit is also a member of the Coordination Committee of Maoist Parties and Organisations of South Asia," he said.

"Besides, Left wing extremist groups have participated in conferences, seminars conducted in Belgium and Germany. The so-called people's war being waged by the CPI-Maoist against the Indian state has also drawn support from several fringe Maoist organisations located in Germany, France, Holland, Turkey, Italy etc.," he said.

The minister said the recovery of arms and ammunition of foreign origin from Left-wing extremists in different incidents was an indication that they were procuring weapons from various sources.

"Moreover, the CPI-Maoist clandestinely getting foreign funds cannot be ruled out. Inputs also indicate that some senior cadres of the Communist Party of the Philippines imparted training to cadres of the CPI-Maoist in 2005 and 2011," Rijiju said.

The minister said the government was monitoring the situation closely and taking appropriate action.

"Such matters, as and when they come to the notice of this ministry, are taken up with the external affairs ministry who take up the issue with the countries concerned at the diplomatic level."

He said the central government has a four-pronged strategy to tackle Left-wing extremism - security and development related measures, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities and public perception management - wherein it supplements the efforts of the state governments.

He said the government believes a combination of calibrated police action, focused developmental efforts and improvement in governance are effective instrumentalities to combat Left-wing extremism in the long term.

A total of 121 civilians and 61 security personnel have been killed this year till July 7 in 606 incidents of Maoist violence. Thirty-eight Maoists have also been killed and 712 arrested.