Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KOLKATA218
2007-07-23 11:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Kolkata
Cable title:
MAOISTS BOMB STATE GOVT OFFICE BUILDING TO "SPUR" POLICE
how-toVZCZCXRO9734 RR RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHCI #0218 2041143 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 231143Z JUL 07 FM AMCONSUL KOLKATA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1610 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0118 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DC RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 1982
UNCLAS KOLKATA 000218
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV PHUM IN
SUBJECT: MAOISTS BOMB STATE GOVT OFFICE BUILDING TO "SPUR" POLICE
ACTION ON RAPE CASE
REF: KOLKATA 74
UNCLAS KOLKATA 000218
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV PHUM IN
SUBJECT: MAOISTS BOMB STATE GOVT OFFICE BUILDING TO "SPUR" POLICE
ACTION ON RAPE CASE
REF: KOLKATA 74
1. (U) Summary: On July 17th Maoists set off an explosion at a
government office in Jharkhand's Bokaro district. A portion of
the office building was damaged but no injuries were reported.
A note left by the Maoists at the scene claimed that the
explosion was in protest against the state government's inaction
over the rape of a local village woman by a Bokaro police
officer in June. The Maoists alleged that despite complaints
being lodged, no action had yet been taken, and they also called
a one-day strike on July 18. End Summary.
2. (SBU) On July 17, Maoists in the Bokaro district of
Jharkhand set off an explosion at the office of the Block
Development Officer. There were no injuries because the
explosion occurred after office hours. A portion of the office
building was damaged. Media contacts in Bokaro told Post that
before the blast, some Maoists were seen by the eyewitnesses
shouting slogans against the police and the Jharkhand
government. Police investigating the explosion discovered a note
left by the Maoists which indicated that the bomb was to protest
the police's failure to investigate the June 15 rape of village
woman Phulwati Devi, allegedly by a police officer.
3. (U) The Maoists also called a general strike on July 18.
The strike disrupted many local businesses which closed for the
day. State and National Highways were blocked in some areas of
the district, disrupting traffic.
4. (SBU) A Senior Jharkhand Police official informed Post that
the accused police officer has since been asked to report to
district headquarters. The officer has also been relieved from
his duties at Gomia police station pending an investigation into
the rape allegations. Some less sympathetic media reports
speculate that the victim in the case has "good connections"
with Maoists and that the allegations are a ploy to undermine
the authority of the police department.
5. (SBU) Comment: Although the rape investigation continues,
this incident highlights the habitually poor state of relations
between villagers and the police in Maoist-affected districts.
Police are often viewed with suspicion and have a reputation of
being heavy-handed or insensitive to local concerns. The
Maoists have been quick to exploit these anti-police sentiments
and to portray themselves as latter-day "Robin Hoods" protecting
the poor villagers from the abuses of local authorities.
JARDINE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV PHUM IN
SUBJECT: MAOISTS BOMB STATE GOVT OFFICE BUILDING TO "SPUR" POLICE
ACTION ON RAPE CASE
REF: KOLKATA 74
1. (U) Summary: On July 17th Maoists set off an explosion at a
government office in Jharkhand's Bokaro district. A portion of
the office building was damaged but no injuries were reported.
A note left by the Maoists at the scene claimed that the
explosion was in protest against the state government's inaction
over the rape of a local village woman by a Bokaro police
officer in June. The Maoists alleged that despite complaints
being lodged, no action had yet been taken, and they also called
a one-day strike on July 18. End Summary.
2. (SBU) On July 17, Maoists in the Bokaro district of
Jharkhand set off an explosion at the office of the Block
Development Officer. There were no injuries because the
explosion occurred after office hours. A portion of the office
building was damaged. Media contacts in Bokaro told Post that
before the blast, some Maoists were seen by the eyewitnesses
shouting slogans against the police and the Jharkhand
government. Police investigating the explosion discovered a note
left by the Maoists which indicated that the bomb was to protest
the police's failure to investigate the June 15 rape of village
woman Phulwati Devi, allegedly by a police officer.
3. (U) The Maoists also called a general strike on July 18.
The strike disrupted many local businesses which closed for the
day. State and National Highways were blocked in some areas of
the district, disrupting traffic.
4. (SBU) A Senior Jharkhand Police official informed Post that
the accused police officer has since been asked to report to
district headquarters. The officer has also been relieved from
his duties at Gomia police station pending an investigation into
the rape allegations. Some less sympathetic media reports
speculate that the victim in the case has "good connections"
with Maoists and that the allegations are a ploy to undermine
the authority of the police department.
5. (SBU) Comment: Although the rape investigation continues,
this incident highlights the habitually poor state of relations
between villagers and the police in Maoist-affected districts.
Police are often viewed with suspicion and have a reputation of
being heavy-handed or insensitive to local concerns. The
Maoists have been quick to exploit these anti-police sentiments
and to portray themselves as latter-day "Robin Hoods" protecting
the poor villagers from the abuses of local authorities.
JARDINE