Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KOLKATA106
2009-04-24 12:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Kolkata
Cable title:
VILLAGERS AND MAOISTS DETAIN TRAIN IN JHARKHAND ON EVE OF
how-toVZCZCXRO8274 RR RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHCI #0106 1141229 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 241229Z APR 09 FM AMCONSUL KOLKATA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2343 INFO RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 2870
UNCLAS KOLKATA 000106
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/INSB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV IN
SUBJECT: VILLAGERS AND MAOISTS DETAIN TRAIN IN JHARKHAND ON EVE OF
PARLIAMENTARY POLLS
UNCLAS KOLKATA 000106
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/INSB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV IN
SUBJECT: VILLAGERS AND MAOISTS DETAIN TRAIN IN JHARKHAND ON EVE OF
PARLIAMENTARY POLLS
1. (SBU) On April 22, on the eve of the second phase of India's
parliamentary polls, approximately 200 villagers and Maoists
took control of the 627 UP Barkakana-Dihari-Mughalsarai train
for four hours in the Latehar district in Jharkhand. None of
the 300 passengers were injured or killed during the encounter
and the media reported that the passengers were provided with
food and treated well. The Latehar Superintendent of Police,
Hemant Toppo, told PolFSN that villagers initiated the operation
to protest the Central Reserve Police Force's killing of five
villagers on April 14, whom the CRPF had alleged were suspected
Maoists. According to Toppo, the villagers released the train
only after the police agreed to launch a probe into the five
deaths and, if warranted, provide compensation.
2. (SBU) Comment: While this appears to be an operation
organized by villagers, the Maoists were quick to piggy-back on
villager discontent and used the train incident to demonstrate
their influence in the area and encourage voters to heed their
call to boycott the elections. The ability of the villagers and
Maoists to successfully detain the train and momentarily capture
the domestic and even international media attention highlights
the domestic law and order challenges facing the national and
state governments in Maoist affected areas.
PAYNE
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/INSB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV IN
SUBJECT: VILLAGERS AND MAOISTS DETAIN TRAIN IN JHARKHAND ON EVE OF
PARLIAMENTARY POLLS
1. (SBU) On April 22, on the eve of the second phase of India's
parliamentary polls, approximately 200 villagers and Maoists
took control of the 627 UP Barkakana-Dihari-Mughalsarai train
for four hours in the Latehar district in Jharkhand. None of
the 300 passengers were injured or killed during the encounter
and the media reported that the passengers were provided with
food and treated well. The Latehar Superintendent of Police,
Hemant Toppo, told PolFSN that villagers initiated the operation
to protest the Central Reserve Police Force's killing of five
villagers on April 14, whom the CRPF had alleged were suspected
Maoists. According to Toppo, the villagers released the train
only after the police agreed to launch a probe into the five
deaths and, if warranted, provide compensation.
2. (SBU) Comment: While this appears to be an operation
organized by villagers, the Maoists were quick to piggy-back on
villager discontent and used the train incident to demonstrate
their influence in the area and encourage voters to heed their
call to boycott the elections. The ability of the villagers and
Maoists to successfully detain the train and momentarily capture
the domestic and even international media attention highlights
the domestic law and order challenges facing the national and
state governments in Maoist affected areas.
PAYNE