Date:16/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/16/stories/2005041603930500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Kin worried over missing naxals

Staff Reporter

YELLANDU: While many recruits of the left wing extremist groups were on their way back, the whereabouts of some girls, who deserted their parents to join the naxalite squads, are yet to be known. Radha, a 17-year-old tribal girl from Yellandu is one of them.

Her ageing parents contacted the leaders of almost all the groups operating in the division, but to no avail. Appealing to the Superintendent of Police, Bhavana Saxena, to help trace the girl, her mother said she had forced her to marry a boy of her community much against her wishes.

The girl who was ambitious and had high expectations left the village when all members of the family were at work. The girl's mother appealed to the naxalite groups to send the girl back if she happened to be in their fold.

Appeals galore

Rambabu, commander of the Yellandu LGS (CPI- Moaist), was of little help to his aged parents. His mother appealed to the party to restore Rambabu to his family, as they had no one else to look after them in the twilight of their life. Thati Rambabu, yet another naxalite who deserted his wife and children, rejoined the CPI(ML Praja Pratighatana).

His wife who approached the Superintendent of Police with two of her children apprised her of the wretched conditions they were living in. She requested the police for help to get her husband back. In all four youths joined the Maoists from June last. Seven others joined Janashakti.

The CPI (ML Praja Pratighatana) accounted for the highest induction of 24 youths in the district. But a majority of those who joined the dalams newly are making a hasty retreat, thanks to the counselling exercise by the Police Department.