Factionalism among Maoists behind crisis?

NEW DELHI The factionalism among Maoists could be behind the abduction of the BJD MLA from Koraput district and the killing of policemen while talks were being held for the release of Italians taken hostage by the ultras in Odisha.

The BJD MLA, Jhina Hikaka, was abducted from Koraput district on Saturday which was preceded by the gunning down of a police sub-inspector in Malkangiri on March 22 and the killing of two policemen in a landmine blast in Koraput on March 18.

The Maoists’ Odisha area chief of the Sabyasachi Panda had to condemn the acts as a violation of the ceasefire agreed to by the CPI (ML) state committee. Negotiators BD Sharma and Dandapani Mohanty also called off their efforts in protest of the later actions.

The conflicting actions of Kandhamal-based cadres who abducted the Italians and the Daya group – suspected to be behind the abduction of Hikaka – is seen as evidence of a slackening of the high command’s authority.

Official sources said Kishenji’s death and arrest of leaders like Kobad Gandhy has created a vacum at the top and helped factional bosses working to their own agendas. In an attempt to counter Panda's move and expose his limited control, the Andhra Odisha Border Zonal Committee probably may have engineered the abduction of the legislator and killed sub-inspector K C Rath at Khairput on March 22.