Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04CHENNAI1392
2004-11-09 08:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Chennai
Cable title:
BLASTS ROCK HYDERABAD; EXTORTION NOT NAXALITE
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS CHENNAI 001392
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PTER IN
SUBJECT: BLASTS ROCK HYDERABAD; EXTORTION NOT NAXALITE
POLITICS TO BLAME
1 (U) SUMMARY: A series of four bomb blasts in Hyderabad
over the past several weeks appears to be the work of a
small splinter group called the Communist Party of United
States of India (CPUSI). The explosions were all relatively
small and seem to have been geared toward creating panic
that might be exploited for the extortion of money from
wealthy targets. The People's War Maoist group, normal
suspects in this type of incident in Andhra Pradesh, do not
appear to have been involved in these incidents. END
SUMMARY
-------------- --------------
FOUR BLASTS IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS
-------------- --------------
2. (U) The latest in a series of bomb blasts in Hyderabad
was probably targeted at media mogul Ramoji Rao whose ETV
network serves nearly one billion viewers in India and
abroad. Rao also owns "Eenadu," India's largest circulation
Telugu language daily with over one million readers. The
most recent blast occurred on November 4 near "Kalanjali" a
popular handicraft showroom owned by Rao's family. It was
just the latest in a series of bomb explosions in the city.
Two weeks earlier, an irrigation canal pipeline was blown up
and last week, in separate incidents, explosions damaged two
busses owned by private colleges in the city. Gelignite
residue was found at all of the bombsites.
-------------- --------------
NOT THE USUAL SUSPECTS THIS TIME
-------------- --------------
3. (U) When this type of action occurs in Andhra Pradesh,
the usual suspects are the People's War group (PW) who
recently announced their merger with another large Indian
Maoist group, the Maoist Communist Center (MCC). This time,
though, it doesn't appear to be their work. They are
engaged in talks with the government of Andhra Pradesh and
have announced a ceasefire during the talks.
-------------- --------------
--------------
POLICE BELIEVE EXTORSION IS THE MOTIVE
-------------- --------------
--------------
4. (U) Hyderabad Police Commissioner R. P. Singh told Post
that the explosions appear to be the work of a small
splinter group that broke away from the Naxalites and call
themselves the Communist Party of United States of India
(CPUSI). Singh said that police were "90% sure" that this
same group was behind all four blasts. Extortion seems to
have been the motive. The group apparently was using the
attacks to spread panic in the city as a prelude to
extorting money from wealthy targets like Rao, private
colleges with deep pockets and others.
--------------
MORE TO COME?
--------------
5. (U) COMMENT: Violence in Andhra Pradesh like this series
of explosions has often been the work of Naxalite Maoists.
This time, however, it appears to have been a prelude to an
effort at extortion by a small group who broke away from the
Naxalites. Without quick apprehension of the suspects, more
blasts seem likely. END COMMENT
HAYNES
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PTER IN
SUBJECT: BLASTS ROCK HYDERABAD; EXTORTION NOT NAXALITE
POLITICS TO BLAME
1 (U) SUMMARY: A series of four bomb blasts in Hyderabad
over the past several weeks appears to be the work of a
small splinter group called the Communist Party of United
States of India (CPUSI). The explosions were all relatively
small and seem to have been geared toward creating panic
that might be exploited for the extortion of money from
wealthy targets. The People's War Maoist group, normal
suspects in this type of incident in Andhra Pradesh, do not
appear to have been involved in these incidents. END
SUMMARY
-------------- --------------
FOUR BLASTS IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS
-------------- --------------
2. (U) The latest in a series of bomb blasts in Hyderabad
was probably targeted at media mogul Ramoji Rao whose ETV
network serves nearly one billion viewers in India and
abroad. Rao also owns "Eenadu," India's largest circulation
Telugu language daily with over one million readers. The
most recent blast occurred on November 4 near "Kalanjali" a
popular handicraft showroom owned by Rao's family. It was
just the latest in a series of bomb explosions in the city.
Two weeks earlier, an irrigation canal pipeline was blown up
and last week, in separate incidents, explosions damaged two
busses owned by private colleges in the city. Gelignite
residue was found at all of the bombsites.
-------------- --------------
NOT THE USUAL SUSPECTS THIS TIME
-------------- --------------
3. (U) When this type of action occurs in Andhra Pradesh,
the usual suspects are the People's War group (PW) who
recently announced their merger with another large Indian
Maoist group, the Maoist Communist Center (MCC). This time,
though, it doesn't appear to be their work. They are
engaged in talks with the government of Andhra Pradesh and
have announced a ceasefire during the talks.
-------------- --------------
--------------
POLICE BELIEVE EXTORSION IS THE MOTIVE
-------------- --------------
--------------
4. (U) Hyderabad Police Commissioner R. P. Singh told Post
that the explosions appear to be the work of a small
splinter group that broke away from the Naxalites and call
themselves the Communist Party of United States of India
(CPUSI). Singh said that police were "90% sure" that this
same group was behind all four blasts. Extortion seems to
have been the motive. The group apparently was using the
attacks to spread panic in the city as a prelude to
extorting money from wealthy targets like Rao, private
colleges with deep pockets and others.
--------------
MORE TO COME?
--------------
5. (U) COMMENT: Violence in Andhra Pradesh like this series
of explosions has often been the work of Naxalite Maoists.
This time, however, it appears to have been a prelude to an
effort at extortion by a small group who broke away from the
Naxalites. Without quick apprehension of the suspects, more
blasts seem likely. END COMMENT
HAYNES