Cracks in Maoist based farmers' organization, 20 held hostages

BHUBANESWAR: Cracks have developed in Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha (CMAS), a strong body of Maoist-backed farmers in Koraput district.

The CMAS activists of Bandhugaon and Narayanpatna blocks, who fought a pitched battle on Saturday, again came to face to face on Sunday morning and torched at least 20 houses, officials said.

The trouble started after tribal farmers belonging to Narayanpatna CMAS unit attacked and destroyed 14 lemongrass processing plants in Bandhugaon. In retaliation, the CMAS members of Bandhugaon launched attack on several villages in Narayanpatna block and took 40 people as hostage. They demanded that they would release the hostages only after the Narayanpatna CMAS activists apologised and paid compensation for the damage done to the lemon processing units and destruction of houses.

According to police, 20 of the 40 hostages were released on Sunday afternoon. ���Around 20 hostages ��� most of the women and children ��� were released on Sunday. We are keeping a close watch on the situation. Since the warring groups have blockaded all roads leading to the area, we find it little difficult in mobilizing police force,��� a senior home department official said.

The cracks, according to Laxmidhar Sahu, a Koraput based veteran researcher who has been studying the Naxal movement since for over three decades, will further complicate the law and order situation in South Orissa.

���After police action on frontline Naxal leaders and frequent raids on their camps, the Maoists in south Orissa have been continuing their activities through Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh. Now that cracks have developed in the organisation, it will have serious repercussions on the law and order situation,��� Mr Sahu said.