DGP sees many chinks in PWG armour

By K. Srinivas Reddy

HYDERABAD, NOV. 19. The emphasis on militarisation of its cadre as seen in formation of the People's Guerrilla Army (PGA) and the move to form base areas in contiguous forest areas could turn out to the undoing factors for the underground People's War Group (PWG), since the essential component of a revolutionary movement, the people's participation, has been given a go by.

This was how the Director-General of Police, Mr. H.J. Dora, analysed the naxalite movement, which has seen major structural changes, associated with employment of different strategies and tactics in different areas of Andhra Pradesh.

The formation of a new Andhra Orissa Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC), the attempt to form base areas in Dandakaranya and contiguous forest areas on the Andhra-Orissa border, the tactical withdrawal of underground cadre from the plain areas of North Telangana, forming of special action teams to hit single targets, formation of a Central Military Commission (CMC) were some of the major changes ushered in by the PWG leadership in the State during last one year.

Mr. Dora, who would be completing five years of his tenure as the DGP by this month-end, feels that whatever be the changes brought it by the PWG leadership, the core element of any revolutionary movement, people's participation, has taken a back seat what with naxalite leaders concentrating more on militarising their ``dwindling cadre'' rather than enlisting the support of people in their cause.

Why did the PWG leadership change its strategies? Mr. Dora feels that the spate of surrenders of the extremist cadre coupled with the military losses in North and south Telangana districts must have unnerved the party. ``The PWG had acknowledged in their documents that police operations were in full swing. The better coordination between the intelligence and the operational wings of police was also mentioned. I think they had to move fast in keeping the flock together and hence came the formation of PGA.''

``The PWG had to initiate some steps to preserve its cadre. The formation of PGA was intended to usher in a sense of cohesion by keeping the cadre together. They may have succeeded in this task, but the advantage for us is that it is very difficult for the naxals to get logistical support for their platoons whose strength could range anywhere between 20 and 40. Rations have to be procured and this would be a give away for them,'' Mr. Dora points out. That was how PWG teams could be hit in Adilabad, Karimnagar and Warangal districts.

But this obviously was a change of strategy by the PWG. After withdrawing its cadre to a great extent in North Telangana districts, they have been concentrating on building up movement in North Coastal districts as well as in Guntur and Krishna districts as was evident in the steep increase in the naxalite activity. Mr. Dora agrees with this point of argument and points out that the hilly forest terrain in the agency areas of North Coastal districts was providing natural and safe shelters for the extremists.

He is candid in admitting that in some of the habitations in forest areas, there could be total absence of Governmental agencies and the dissatisfaction of tribals in the neighbouring states could be effectively encashed by the PWG. ``But once the Governmental agencies adopt a proactive role in reaching out to public, even this base will be lost in no time.''

That was exactly what happened in the North Telangana. With the Governmental agencies moving in and attempting to address various problems, there are no issues left for the PWG to organise people. Be it the Vana Samrakshana Samithi (VSS) movement or the self-help groups of women, the PWG finds itself in a piquant situation. There are no issues left to the PWG to encash them, Mr. Dora would assert.

Consequently, the PWG's concentration on forest areas would further erode its ``so-called'' mass base. ``There are no struggles. Their fight is only for survival and by forming the PGA they succeeded in forcing their cadre not to surrender. But a time is not far when the PWG leadership would feel that the PGA had proved to be a drag on the movement.''

Naxals flee in the face ofpolice firing

By Our Staff Reporter

NIZAMABAD, NOV. 19. Some members of the People's Guerrilla Army of the banned PWG were reportedly injured in a fierce exchange of fire with the police in the dense forest between Kothur Nakkalapalli and Dammireddipeta under Nannel police station limits of Adilabad district this afternoon.

Reports reaching here said police recovered 20 kitbags and an sophisticated IKOM wireless set from the scene of the encounter. A special police party which was combing the forest area since last night came across the naxals numbering about 35 camping on a hillock. The naxal sentry, who observed the advancing police party alerted the party cadre and began firing at the police.

Police took cover and returned the fire and the exchange of fire continued for 45 minutes. The naxals taking cover of thick vegetation managed to escape. Police which searched the area after some time recovered 20 kit bags, tents, water cans, ration and utensils. However, police also came across blood stains near the scene of the firing giving rise to suspicion that some naxals could have sustained bullet injuries. The police personnel were unhurt.

Additional police parties were dispatched to continue combing operations. Police got indication that North Telangana Special Zone Committee member, Seshanna, Dandakaranya PWG leader, Satwaji and other senior leaders were taking shelter in the forest when the firing took place. PGA members from Karimnagar and Adilabad are understood to be moving together in the forest.

The Bellampalli Additional SP, Mr. Vijay Kumar, visited the scene of the encounter.

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