Maoists plan to attack politicians

NEW DELHI: After a spate of attacks on security forces, the Maoists are now raising specially trained small teams to eliminate leaders of various political parties across the country.

The central committee of the CPI (Maoist) at a recent meeting has decided to raise "action teams" in all states dominated by them to target political leaders and workers, a Home Ministry official said quoting intelligence inputs.

He said the Naxals were planning to launch the attack in both rural and semi-urban areas in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

"Apprehending threat, many political leaders in the areas dominated by the Maoists have started resigning from their respective political parties," the official said.

Besides, the policy-making body of the CPI (Maoist) also directed its cadres to target any vehicle used by security personnel even if civilians travel along with them, he said.

According to a government estimate, there are 34 districts in the country which are seriously affected by the Naxal menace while another 50 districts have Maoist presence and the rebels dominate around 40,000 sq km areas in different parts of the country.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had described Maoists as the greatest threat to internal security.

Home Minister P Chidambaram had said that the situation in the states affected by left-wing extremism continues to be a cause of grave concern.

"The number of deaths in 2009 among civilians in such states were 591, while 317 security personnel and 217 militants were killed, indicating a rising trend," Home Minister P Chidambaram had said.