Maoist Insurgency: Timeline (Terrorist Activities) -2004

In another incident, the police at Husnabad registered cases against eight former Naxalites for abducting the son of a TDP leader on January 1 in the Karimnagar district. Read less...

On January 1, suspected left wing extremists—Naxalites—of the People’s War Group (PWG) shot dead a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) activist of Marapanutal village under Chandampet mandal (revenue division) in the Nalgonda district of Andhra Pradesh. Read less...

Seven armed left wing extremists—Naxalites —of the banned People’s War Group (PWG) reportedly killed one police personnel and injured another at Aasthi-Kawali village in the Jamshedpur area of Jharkhand on January 2. Read less...

According to police sources, eleven cadres of the Ranvir Sena, a private army of upper-caste landowners, were reportedly arrested for the murder of six Dalits (lowest rung in the Hindu caste system) on January 3. The Dalits were killed by the Ranvir Sena in Pariari village of Arwal district in Bihar. All the victims were suspected to have been supporters of left wing extremists—Naxalites—of the Maoist Communist Center (MCC). The police said that 23 Sena activists have been accused in the case. Meanwhile, the MCC has reportedly threatened to avenge the killing of its sympathisers by the Ranvir Sena. Read less...

Cadres of the Ranvir Sena, a private army of upper-caste landowners, are reported to have shot dead five persons and injured two others at Pariyari village in the Arwal district of Bihar on January 3. All the victims are reported to have been supporters of the outlawed left-wing extremist group, the People’s War Group (PWG). While the police have launched a combing operation, no arrests have been made thus far. Read less...

The West Bengal Police on January 3 have reportedly re-arrested a person on charges of having links with left wing extremists—Naxalites—of the People’s War Group (PWG) and hoarding arms and ammunitions at his Makhla residence in the Midnapore district. The accused was earlier arrested in similar charges on December 25, 2003. Read less...

In another incident, the police recovered 161 pieces of 130-gram gelatine sticks, 117 detonators, 120-ft of fuse wire, urea, gunpowder and arrested three persons of Mandar village in the Ranchi district for storing the illegal explosives. Read less...

Meanwhile, in an attempt to tackle the Naxalites, the Jharkhand Government has allowed the creation of two more new posts — a zonal Inspector General of Police to be posted at Bokaro and a Deputy Inspector General to be posted at Kolhan in West Singhbhum. Read less...

Police personnel in the Ranchi district of Jharkhand have reportedly arrested a suspected ‘conduit’ of the left wing extremist—Naxalites—Maoist Communist Center (MCC) on January 4. Read less...

According to the Annual Report of the Chhattisgarh Police, at least 78 persons, including 31 police personnel, were killed in 103 encounters in the State in Naxalite-related violence during year 2003. "A total of 103 encounters took place between Naxalites and police in the year 2003, in which 31 security men, three government employees and 35 civilians were killed,'' police sources said. The People's War Group (PWG) and the Maoist Communist Center (MCC) were active in 96 police stations areas of the State spread over about seven districts and there was an increase in Naxalite activities in 2003 compared to the previous year, the report added. Read less...

In another incident, an ‘area commander’ of the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) was arrested from Chainpur police station area while he was traveling in a bus from Garwah to Daltonganj. Read less...

Meanwhile, the People’s War Group (PWG) with the support of the MCC has reportedly called a 24-hour Jharkhand bandh (shutdown) on January 8 in response to the killing of Naxalites by the police and the Gram Rakshak Dal (village security squad) at Longo in the East Singhbhum district recently. Read less...

Police personnel in the Garwah district of Jharkhand on January 6 arrested a ‘sub-zonal commander’ of the left wing extremist—Naxalites—outfit, the Maoist Communist Center (MCC), from the Ranka bazaar area with the help of villagers. Read less...

Two People’s War Group (PWG) cadres, including an ‘area commander’, were shot dead by security forces in an encounter at Mandal village in the Latehar district of Jharkhand on January 7. Police recovered some country-made pistols, cartridges, Naxal literature, receipts of levy collection for the year 2003, which amounted to approximately crores of rupees and a motorcycle from their possession. Read less...

According to the Newindpress, the proscribed People's War Group (PWG) may soon change its name to All India Maoist Communist Centre (AIMCC) by merging with the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) which has a sizable presence in Bihar and Jharkhand. The understanding between two outfits was reportedly reached after the recent mediation of another north-based Marxist-Leninist (ML) outfit, the Revolutionary Internationalist Movement (RIM). The MCC, which is currently holding talks with PWG and a few other left-wing organisations in India and Nepal, is ready to work together with other parties, the report added. Read less...

In another incident, unidentified Naxalites destoyed a railway bridge using explosives in the Palamu district and set ablaze three train engines at Chipadohar station in the Latehar district on January 8 today, even as the 24-hour Jharkhand bandh (shutdown) called jointly by the PWG and Maoist Communist Center (MCC) began at midnight. Read less...

Rail traffic on the Dhanbad rail division remained paralysed for several hours and railway engine drivers were reportedly attacked on January 8 at separate places in Jharkhand. The incident happened during the 24-hour statewide bandh (shutdown) called by the banned left wing extremist outfits, the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) and People’s War Group (PWG). The extremists reportedly set ablaze the engine of a goods train between Kechki and Mongra stations and assaulted several railway personnel. In another incident, the security personnel have reportedly recovered bombs, explosives, detonators and wires near a railway track between Nawadih and Nimiadih stations in the Latehar district. Read less...

Separately, railway drivers operating from Mcluskiganj in the Ranchi district to Barwadih in the Latehar district on the South Eastern Railway section have refused to run passenger and goods trains following the growing incidence of assaults by left wing extremists and criminals. Read less...

According to police sources, about 35 to 40 armed left wing extremists—Naxalites—belonging to the Maoist Communist Center (MCC) have abducted four people, including a block development officer (BDO), in Chatra district of Jharkhand on January 11. Two persons were reportedly released later on. Read less...

Meanwhile, left wing extremists—Naxalites—of the Maoist Communist Center (MCC) released the four abducted persons, including a block development officer (BDO), on January 11 night, police said. The BDO was reportedly tortured by the MCC activists and questioned in the Jan Adalat (people’s court) before being released. Read less...

Separately, the Jharkhand Police on January 11 seized approximately 200 police uniforms from Jeraikela in the West Singhbhum district. One person was arrested in this connection and three others managed to escape. The uniforms were allegedly being taken to be used by the MCC. Read less...

Media reports quoting police sources said that three left wing extremists—Naxalites— belonging to the proscribed People's War Group (PWG) were killed in an encounter with police personnel at Sukhnadi village in Jharkhand's Garwah district on January 12. Two rifles, one stengun, one semi-automatic rifle, two.315 rifle, some Naxal literature, a 10 band radio, and a walkie-talkie were recovered from the possession of the slain naxalites. Several Naxalites, who were injured in the encounter, managed to escape from the encounter site, the Deputy Inspector-General of police said. Read less...

Meanwhile, the Bihar police raided the Chalisbigha village in Rohtas district and arrested eleven PWG cadres on January 13. Five guns and several rounds of ammunition were recovered from their possession. Read less...

A group of left wing extremists—Naxalites—of the proscribed People’s War Group (PWG) shot dead an opposition Congress leader in Karempudi mandal (revenue division) at Guttikonda village in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district, on January 14. Read less...

Further, quoting police sources, a media report said that the ‘central organiser’ of the Rachakonda dalam (squad) and former commander of the Krishapatti local guerrilla squad, surrendered to the police on January 14 in the Nalgonda district. Read less...

Media reports quoting police sources stated that a group of left wing extremists—Naxalites—of the People's War Group (PWG) shot dead four persons and critically injured two others in Mirjapur village of Bihar’s Jehanabad district, on January 14. The victims, believed to be supporters of the Ranvir Sena (a private army of upper-caste landowners), were offering prayers in a temple when they were attacked. The Naxalites reportedly raised slogans claiming that the attack was a revenge for the killing of five of its supporters, all Dalits (lowest rung in the Hindu caste system), in Pariyari village on January 3. Read less...

Separately, suspected naxalites belonging to the PWG used explosives to destroy the Basampalli Railway Station between Dharmavaram and Puttaparthi, in the Ananthapur district on January 14. Read less...

Meanwhile, media reports of January 15 indicated that the PWG is planning to organise a `retreat' programme for its activists that will have a bearing on building cadre, counter police, plan attacks and provide up-to-date training to the dalam (squad) members. The training programme is reportedly organised in view of the increased combing operations and severe damage the group suffered in north and south Telangana and Nallamala forest areas, and to spread its activities in the plain areas, the report added. Read less...

A left wing extremist—Naxalite— belonging to the Bollapalli Local Guerrilla Squad of the proscribed Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist (CPI-ML) has given up arms and surrendered before the district police chief on January 16. The surrendered Naxal was reportedly a minor girl and she had joined the outfit in December 2003. Read less...

Meanwhile, in a joint statement, the People’s War Group (PWG) and Jana Shakti have called upon the people to boycott the forthcoming State and Lok Sabha (Lower House of the Indian Parliament) elections. Read less...

On January 17, the Union Government announced that the Centre would not demand any charge from Naxalite-affected States for deployment of Central Para-Military Forces (CPMFs). A decision to this effect was taken during a meeting between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani and some Chief Secretaries on the sidelines of an internal security conference in New Delhi. The decision is expected to provide major relief to the nine States that have been making this demand for the past few years. Read less...

Meanwhile, on January 18, speaking to the press at Allipuram, the Andhra Pradesh Home Minister, Devender Goud, said that there were no fresh proposals with the government for talks with left wing extremists—Naxalites. He alleged that the Naxals were not sincere where talks were concerned. Read less...

Separately, a special police party on January 18 discovered a PWG arms dump in the Venkatayapalem reserve forest in Guntur district’s Bellamkonda mandal (revenue division). The police recovered two claymore mines, two olive green uniforms, two fillings, a wire lining, a Motorola charger, some batteries, two camera flashes, steel plates, 20 meter telephone wire, homeopathic medicines and two torch lights from the site. Read less...

According to media reports, on January 19, left wing extremists—Naxalites—of the People’s War Group (PWG) shot dead a former Naxalite in Andhra Pradesh's Warangal district, after branding him a ‘police informer’. The victim had surrendered to the police in 2003 and had been leading a normal life since, police personnel added. Read less...

According to media reports, a group of left wing extremists—Naxaites—belonging to the marak dasta (hit squad) of the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) killed two civilians in a remote village of Chhatra district in Jharkhand, on January 21. Read less...

On January 21, a left wing extremist—Naxalite—belonging to the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI -ML) of the Janashakthi Rajanna faction, surrendered before the Medak Superintendent of Police in Andhra Pradesh. Read less...

Four left wing extremists—Naxalites—belonging to the proscribed People’s War Group (PWG), surrendered before the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, on January 23, in Andhra Pradesh’s Kadapa district. Intensified combing operations, pressure from family members and the prospect of a peaceful life are luring more and more PWG Naxalites to lay down their arms, the DIG said. Read less...

An unidentified left wing extremist—Naxalite—of the People's War Group (PWG) was killed in an encounter with the police in Sambepally mandal (revenue division) in Andhra Pradesh’s Kuddapah district on January 24. The police recovered a carbine from the deceased Naxalite. Read less...

In another incident, the Andhra Pradesh police arrested six PWG Naxalites at Ramireddypalli in the Mahabubnagar district on January 24. Read less...

Separately, PWG Naxalites reportedly attacked the house of a ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader at Reddivaripalle village with explosives in the Kuddapah district on January 24. The PWG activists had killed the TDP leader in September 28, 2002. Read less...

Seven left wing extremists—Naxalites—belonging to the Malajkhand Dalam (squad), including one woman, have reportedly surrendered before the police at the district headquarters of Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh on January 24. Read less...

In another encounter in the Kurnool district, a Naxalite ‘commander’ of the Rayalseema dalam (squad) of the PWG was shot dead by police personnel. Read less...

Three left wing extremists—Naxalites—of the People’s War Group (PWG) believed to be involved in the landmine attack on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on October 1, 2003 were shot dead during a police encounter on January 25 in the Chitoor district. Read less...

A former ‘Deputy Commander’ of the People’s War Group (PWG) was reportedly shot dead by Naxalites at the outskirts of Adavilingala village under Yellareddy police station limits, in Andhra Pradesh’s Nizamabad district on January 26. Read less...

Meanwhile, a group of left wing extremists—Naxalites—of the PWG destroyed the Kuderu telephone exchange at Marutla-2 village in the Anantapur district on January 26. The naxalites were reportedly raising slogans in favour of PWG cadres, Pravin, Shanker and Yerra Satyam, who were killed in an encounter with police personnel on January 25. Read less...

Separately, a media report of January 27 stated that the head of the now defunct ‘Re-Organisation Committee’ of the PWG is likely to join the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the presence of caretaker Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, on January 28. Read less...

A left-wing extremist—Naxalite—of the Communist Party of India, Marxist-Leninist (CPI-ML) was killed during an encounter at Padmanagar in the Karimnagar district of Andhra Pradesh on January 30. Police sources said the slain Naxalite had reportedly come to the town to extort money from businessmen. Police also recovered a 0.38 mm revolver from the encounter site. Read less...

In another incident, suspected Naxalites of the People’s War Group (PWG) looted Rs two lakh from the Bheemaram branch of the State Bank of Hyderabad in Adilabad district on January 31. Read less...

Meanwhile, the Kurnool district police chief, N Sanjay, said on January 31 that the demands put forth by PWG Naxalites to secure the release of the Peddamudiam Sub-Inspector (SI) of Police, Madhusudan Rao, would be fulfilled. The SI was abducted by the PWG from Sidhapuram village in Kurnool district on January 29. The main demands of the PWG include the unconditional release of the 19 residents of Vadlarampuram village who were arrested for supporting famine raids by the PWG on Indireswaram village and the return of 180 bags of food grain recovered by them. Read less...

On January 31, left wing extremists—Naxalites—belonging to the Penna Area Committee of the People's War Group (PWG), attempted to destroy the `Kumbhakarna' tourism project near Penukonda in the Ananthapur district. However, no major damage was caused to the structure. According to the district police chief, Anil Kumar, the structure developed cracks as Naxalites exploded a couple of bombs. Read less...

The PWG has called for a 48-hours bandh (shutdown) in three districts including Lohardegga, Latehar and Gumla of Jharkhand state on February 5 and 6, against the killing of two of its cadres in an encounter with security forces at Murkunda village in Gumla district on January 10. Read less...