Maoist elements making inroads into urban areas- tells indian press

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/26-naxals-held-in-police-crackdown-in-Chhattisgarh/articleshow/48361506.cms

Maharashtra: Beware, naxals are at your doorsteps; CM admits to Maoist elements making inroads into urban areas
In an indication of the challenge before the state as it counters rising left-wing extremism (LWE), the Maharashtra government has admitted to Maoist elements making inroads into urban and industrial areas and touching a chord with the Dalit youth. In a written reply to a query by Jaywantrao Jadhav (NCP) in the monsoon session of the legislative council, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds home portfolio, admitted that Maoist extremists are trying to create base in Mumbai-Nashik-Pune belt.
“It has come to light that in the urban and industrial belts in these areas, the Maoists are trying to clandestinely propagate their ideology and are creating an impression that they are raising their voice on Dalit issues and attracting Dalit youth to the Maoist movement,” noted Fadnavis. He said the ‘Naxal-promoted’ Kabir Kala Manch was being used to attract youth towards Maoist thought through art troupes and street-plays. Cases have been lodged against Naxal activists at Harsul, Mumbai, Pune and Talegaon Dabhade.
In reply to another question by Manikrao Thakre (Congress), Fadnavis said the police have been provided weapons, ammunition, communication equipment, helicopters and anti-landmine vehicles and added that area domination strategies were used to provide security to people. Apart from the paramilitary CRPF, the Cobra battalion, SRPF companies, the district police and the C-60 force have been deployed in Naxalite violence affected regions to counter the threat. Maharashtra has lost 159 police personnel since 2000 to Naxalite attacks while police have managed to kill 113 Naxalites. As many as 224 civilians were also killed by Naxalites during this period on suspicion that they were police informers.

“They are trying to capitalise on issues like Dalit atrocities and create law and order problems to bolster their ranks,” noted senior journalist Devendra Gawande, who has reported extensively from LWE affected areas and has authored the book ‘Naxalwadache Avhan’. “They are unable to get enough manpower in the rural areas and jungles and are hence shifting focus to cities,” said Gawande adding that little seems to be happening at the government’s level to check this. “Such tendencies rise because the problems of the oppressed are not solved through democratic means,” noted senior CPI leader Prakash Reddy. Former IPS officer Sudhakar Suradkar blamed the highly politicised police force for the state of affairs and noted that ‘injustice’ meted out to people is one reason why they turn to Naxalism