Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KOLKATA327
2007-11-01 07:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Kolkata
Cable title:  

MAOIST INSURGENTS TARGET FORMER JHARKHAND CHIEF MINISTER'S

Tags:  PTER ASEC PGOV SOCI IN 
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FM AMCONSUL KOLKATA
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INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1647
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 0738
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 0743
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RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0482
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0334
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0392
RUEILB/NCTC WASHINGTON DC
RUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 2130
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KOLKATA 000327 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC PGOV SOCI IN
SUBJECT: MAOIST INSURGENTS TARGET FORMER JHARKHAND CHIEF MINISTER'S
FAMILY -- KILL 18 PEOPLE

REF: KOLKATA 00074

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KOLKATA 000327

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC PGOV SOCI IN
SUBJECT: MAOIST INSURGENTS TARGET FORMER JHARKHAND CHIEF MINISTER'S
FAMILY -- KILL 18 PEOPLE

REF: KOLKATA 00074


1. (SBU) Summary: On October 27 in the eastern Indian state of
Jharkhand, Maoist rebels shot and killed eighteen people after a
football (soccer) match, including the youngest son of
Jharkhand's former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi. The attack
occurred in the village of Giridih near the Jharkhand-Bihar
border. The GOI and Jharkhand government has responded by
ordering the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to launch a
"clean-up" operation against Maoists in Jharkhand, as well as in
parts of neighboring West Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. The attack
in Jharkhand attack reflects a shift in Maoist tactics in
specifically targeting individuals and their families who have
taken action against the Maoists -- in addition to the
insurgents' general focus on killing law enforcement or
government officials. In West Bengal on October 26, one woman
was killed in a landmine attack allegedly orchestrated by the
Maoists in the West Midnapur district. Jharkhand's government,
which has not spent available funds to counter the Maoists,
continues to fail in effectively responding to the growing
insurgency in the state. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Maoist rebels killed eighteen people, including Anup
Marandi, the youngest son of former Chief Minister and leader of
the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Democratic) Babulal Marandi. The
attack took place after a football match in a village near
Giridih, which borders the state of Bihar. The attack occurred
around midnight during the post-match prize distribution
ceremony. According to media reports, approximately fifteen
armed Maoists came to a village in Giridih to look for Anup
Marandi's brother, Nanulal Marandi. Nanulal Marandi apparently
recognized the danger and managed to escape from the area.
According to news reports, the Maoists then opened fire
indiscriminately. Eyewitnesses claimed that some of the Maoists
were dressed in CRPF uniforms.


3. (SBU) This recent incident indicates the Maoists' new tactic
of targeting officials and their families who express opposition
or take action against the Maoists. On Sept 7 in Andhra
Pradesh, Maoists attempted to kill former Andhra Pradesh Chief

Minister N. Janardhan Reddy and his wife N. Rajyalakshmi by
triggering a landmine under their convoy as it crossed a bridge.
The Chief Minister and his wife's vehicle was missed but the
following vehicle was hit and three people were killed. The
Maoists issued a message saying that they tried killing Reddy
because he had banned the Maoists in 1992. On March 4, again in
Jharkhand, Maoists killed Jamshedpur MP Sunil Mahto and three
others, when Mahto was participating in a local football match
prize distribution ceremony (reftel). Mahato was killed,
according to leaflets left by the Maoists, for his efforts to
counter the Maoist insurgency in the state.


4. (SBU) The response from the Jharkhand government so far has
been disorganized. A senior Jharkhand police official told Post
that he thought the attackers may have fled to Bihar. When we
asked about ongoing efforts made by the State to curb Maoist
activity, the official said that out of a total fund of Rs.
20.94 billion (approx. USD 520 million) provided by the
Jharkhand Government during the last three fiscal years, the
Home Department of the State, which is responsible for security,
has spent only Rs. 847.2 million (approx. USD 21.5 million).
The remaining funds had been returned without explanation.


5. (SBU) Following the attack, the Jharkhand government, along
with the GOI, asked the CRPF to launch "Operation Vikram" to
"clean-up" the Maoists operating in 18 of Jharkhand's 24
districts. Five companies of paramilitary forces (nearly 600
personnel) are conducting raids in Giridih district and in
neighboring Bihar's Jamui district. Police sources told Post
that Jharkhand officials are also seeking the help of
neighboring states to conduct these operations.


6. (SBU) On October 26 in neighboring West Bengal, a woman was
killed and another critically injured in the crossfire between
Maoists and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in West
Bengal's West Midnapore district. The shooting occurred after a
landmine blast by the Maoists near Tangbheda forest in West
Midnapore. Although a CRPF jeep narrowly escaped the explosion,
a tourist bus passing by sustained damage and then was caught in
the crossfire between the Maoists and paramilitary troopers.
The district police have arrested three men in connection with

KOLKATA 00000327 002 OF 002


the blast.


7. (SBU) Comment: The Maoists clearly have taken a more
aggressive approach by targeting those who seek to publicly
oppose their growing insurgency in eastern India. The Jharkhand
government's weak response to the attack underscores the state's
continuing inability to combat the Maoists. It is not a
question of money - in fact it appears that funds intended for
anti-Maoist activities are going unused. The manner and
brazenness of the killing show that Maoists can operate
unrestrained in Jharkhand, and that the state has no effective
response to the Maoist threat.
JARDINE