Maoist leaders diverting party’s “extortion money” to their families

The Maharashtra police have released a list of senior Maoist leaders whose children are studying in reputed institutions, and accused them of spending “extortion money” on their families.

“Senior Maoist leaders stop local tribal people in insurgency-hit areas from getting even basic education. The leaders are always afraid that if the tribals receive education, the violent Maoist movement will vanish. However, they make sure that their own children are properly educated,” said a recent press statement by the Anti Naxal Operations (ANO) unit of the Maharashtra police.

“Maoist leader Devkumar alias Arvind Nishant’s son is studying chemical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur. Maoist company commander Malliraji Reddy’s daughter Snehlata has completed her B.Sc. and is studying law in a reputed university. Senior Maoist Vijay Reddy alias Sugulari Chinnanna’s elder son has studied B.Tech and works in a multinational company (MNC) on a substantial salary. His younger son is currently enrolled in a B.Tech programme,” claimed the ANO unit.

The list released by the ANO also includes the son of commander of the Maoist Company, K.K. Muralidharan alias Vijayanna, who works for a software company in Kochi.

“Sneha, the daughter of dreaded Maoist leader in Chhattisgarh, Ramchandra Reddy alias Gudsa Usendi, works for an IT company. Gudsa Usendi’s son is enrolled in a dental course. The CPI (Maoist) Polit Bureau member Mishir is also educating his children in reputed institutions,” added the ANO press statement.

The list also mentions CPI (Maoist) divisional committee member Marbecha Yasabu alias Shriman Narayan Kailasham and dreaded Maoist leader from Maharashtra Pahad Singh. Marbecha’s daughter runs an anganwadi. In a letter written by Pahad Singh to his family that was traced, he expressed the desire that his daughter become a doctor.

“Maoist leaders tell the tribals that democracy is a sham. They keep meagre amounts of money with the local Maoist dalams (units). But the same leaders divert money extorted by different dalams towards their own families and make sure that their children are well educated. The junior Maoist cadres should understand the double standard of senior Maoists,” said the ANO and appealed to the local tribal Maoists to lay down arms and take advantage of the government’s surrender policy.