by David Singh
'If you see,' he said, pointing at the map, 'all shaded area on the map is Naxal affected area. Now notice this Bihar-Nepal border. That opens the entry point for insurgent forces into our country. Once they are in Bihar then for them West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh are served on platter. This entire region is the Naxal Insurgency Zone – NIZ. Nissar Malik, whom Samarjeet had snatched from the very jaws of ISI, was caught entering Birganj – a town on Bihar-Nepal border. Nexus of ISI with Naxals is far deadlier than any insurgency threat in the world. Nissar Malik's capture is a big blow to the insurgent forces and now we have to leverage upon that.'
Vir Bhadra Singh sipped water from the bottle by his side, looked at the intent audience and continued 'Now I come to the Naxal movement. Bhanu Majumdar, late Charu Majumdar's successor, estimated age 45, is the dreaded Naxal group leader of People's War Group and runs parallel government in Chhattisgarh area of red corridor. Hailing from Darjeeling, Bhanu Majumdar was especially sent by his father Charu Majumdar to Chhattisgarh in order to unite and organize the Naxal cadres there. His father was soon killed by the armed forces but Bhanu stayed in Chhattisgarh. It is reported that PWG's military wing is People's Guerilla Army, PGA, which has killed several hundred policemen in past years. Majumdar mostly moves around Dandakaranya area of Chhattisgarh specifically called Maoist Liberated Zone in Abujhmad Hills. This part is extremely difficult to access, navigate and is not surveyed officially. Entire area is rich in iron ore, dolomite, bauxite and limestone which are the main attraction for private companies. Residents of Orchcha village in the foothills of Abujhmad have sometimes seen a glimpse of Majumdar otherwise no one knows when, where and how he moves. Except the core group of chiefs of various naxal cadres, he is hardly accessible to anyone.'
'Then how are we going to recognize him?' Makker asked.
Dheeraj Makker – E Five One was fair, tall and lean. His closely cropped hair and deeply set eyes gave him a mature look however, he was just thirty. Those who had not seen with their own eyes would take it as a myth that Makker had once shot four terrorists in pitch dark; their only fault was that they were breathing heavily after a long on foot chase. Later when the corpses were discovered, all had their heads blown off, all bullets right in to the foreheads.
'All we have is this sketch made by our artist after the inputs provided by Pissu. I will just tell you who Pissu is.' Vir Bhadra Singh replied. The screen displayed a black and white pencil drawn shaded sketch of Majumdar.
He continued, 'Nissar Malik has revealed in the interrogation that he was actually supposed to meet Bhanu Majumdar. ISI has a complete roadmap and plan to liaison with Naxals. With Nissar's arrest, their plan has come to an abrupt hold but not for long. Soon someone else from ISI will try to meet Majumdar. You have to capture Majumdar alive… then listening to the duet of Malik and Majumdar would be quite melodious. Entire Red Corridor can be cleansed then. Government can execute a “complete uproot offensive” against the Naxals.'
Vir Bhadra Singh took a brief pause when Dheeraj Makkar cut in, 'you said, VB that Majumdar is tough to see and meet. But this time it seems we have got some lead on his whereabouts.'
'Correct. The next big stunt naxals are going to pull off next month is to abduct Rajeshwar Karma…' Vir Bhadra Singh paused for the effect. 'Rajeshwar Karma!' Mohan Rajput exclaimed, 'Former state CM late Maheshwar Karma's son and ruling party's national chief who is the sworn enemy of Naxals since they had murdered his father recently. He too is on Naxal's hit list since he had publicly stated that he was living just to uproot Naxals.'
Mohan Rajput – E Five Three was a wheatish complexioned, broad, handsome, tough guy of twenty eight with raven black hair, eyes and long thick traditional moustache. His voice had a touch of a teenager's innocence but that is what his victims got swayed with. Once, relying on incorrect intelligence, he broke into an insurgent hide out alone with just one dagger. There were five armed men inside. Backup team broke in twenty minutes later to find out all the five headless corpses and their heads strewn around with Mohan Rajput sitting in a corner, chewing paan. On asking how he did it he told that Maa Bhavani (Mother goddess Bhavani) had possessed him.
'Yes, Rajeshwar Karma refused to take his father's place which was available to him on platter but being party chief, it's his say that goes in the CM office. RK's late father had created Salwa Judum - army of tribal youth of Chhattisgarh - to hunt down Naxals in their area. Later it was declared illegal by Apex court and gradually disbanded. In RK's return, Naxals are planning to negotiate the acquittal of their four high profile men captured earlier by Central Reserved Armed Force.'
No one asked anything. 'So much for Majumdar, then there is Chandra Pulla Rajanna,' Vir Bhadra Singh continued, 'equally powerful to Majumdar, Rajanna is as elusive as Majumdar is. He leads PGA. Rumours have it that Maheshwar Karma's assassination was Rajanna's idea and Majumdar didn't approve of it. Eventually PWG and PGA severed their alliance as Majumdar had expelled Rajanna from his group.'
'So, we need to capture Majumdar before he reaches RK?' Samarjeet asked. 'No, Majumdar himself will take us to his den.' Vir Bhadra Singh said smiling.
Elite Fives looked at each other.
'That sounds some hardcore dirty strategy of yours in place, VB.' Saroj Sathapathy said, smiling.
The only thing that was white over Sathapathy's – E Five Two – face was his parts of eyes and teeth. He was a twenty nine years old dark complexioned, sharp minded, shrewd DRI (Directorate of Revenue Intelligence) field officer. His height was just five point five with a slim body. Only five living smugglers of Red Sanders – a fragrant wood – knew who Sathpathy was when in Kochi, Sathpathy chased them in a speed boat over the chest of a highly disturbed sea, post midnight. The smugglers – unknown in number – were getting away in a speed launch. A rescue team later went into Sathpathy's direction. By the break of dawn they found seemingly orphaned speed launch bobbing over the waves in the midst of the sea with Sathpathy and his speed boat nowhere in sight. They boarded the speed launch to find – much to their shock than astonishment - twelve smugglers shot dead, two strangled to death with a rope, four tied down on the floor of the main deck and one preparing omelet in the engine room for a starving Sathpathy standing with an axe over his head. Later Sathpathy told the rescue team that he killed only twelve of them since he had only twelve bullets and no extra magazine. Seven hundred kilograms of red sanders was seized lying in the basement of the speed launch.
'Sure there is.' Vir Bhadra Singh returned Sathapathy's smile and said, 'Naxals are always on move making it difficult to plan any attack on them. They are blended with the tribals so closely that a direct assault is impossible without killing the innocents. You must be aware of the massacre of innocent villagers last year by police and armed forces because of incorrect intelligence and then subsequent assassination of Maheshwar Karma. The only way to curb this parallel government and a threat to restore democratic peace in the area is to nab the leadership – Bhanu Majumdar. An armed attack will only worsen the situation. This time we plan to get our hands on Majumdar. Elite 5! Your mission is to take Majumdar – the nightmare for government, armed forces and peace loving tribals in the area - out alive from there.'
'That needs a great deal of intelligence. I do believe we have it.' Sathapathy said.
'That all is there in these files. Read them and educate yourself.'
'One thing VB,' Samarjeet said, 'this is the first time we are well informed of Naxals' plan. They are, otherwise, notorious to strike suddenly. Let me guess. Pissu is the man behind enemy lines?'
Vir Bhadra Singh gave an impressed look to E Five Five. Then he said, 'Yeah, one of Majumdar's own men. Fed up of this façade of his revolution and wants to surrender. RAW is handling him and has code named him Pissu.'
Pissu is Hindi for Flea – a tiny insect that sucks blood by piercing through the skin.
'RAW got interested in Red Corridor only when Nissar Malik's connection was establis
hed. Just three months back, RAW got its first break when by chance they stumbled upon this Pissu who was ready to help in return of his riddance from Majumdar and asked him to become the informer to find out how far and deep goes in the connection between Naxals and external controls especially ISI.' Vir Bhadra Singh filled in, 'Pissu has now managed to reach up in the hierarchy probably very close to Majumdar's core team. Evidence is that he has given all this information and a lot more is in these files. He has told us that this time Bhanu Majumdar is going to direct and manage Karma's abduction personally.'
Everyone nodded understanding. 'Makker will lead the mission. You four will follow his command.'
'Sure sir.' Sathapathy said on everyone's behalf.
'Now, the strategy. Later you can make your field plan.' Vir Bhadra Singh adopted a serious business tone, 'the mission is code named Operation Crimson Crackdown. Makker, your code name is Terminator, Gangwar yours is Killer, Rajput Destroyer, Sathapathy Wiper and Samarjeet your code name is your nickname, popular now…..Retriever.'
Terminator, Killer, Destroyer, Wiper and Retriever nodded in agreement.
'Tell me, who do you see on screen?' Vir Bhadra Singh continued.
They all gave a sweeping glance to the huge screen and spoke almost in unison, 'Rajeshwar Karma.'
Vir Bhadra Singh, pushing some keys on the keyboard kept in front of him, asked again, smiling, 'look again boys!'
They did and as, from Rajeshwar Karma's still image on the screen, the beard and moustache faded away slowly, the five pairs of eyes spread with surprise too. In an instant they all understood their mentor's mission strategy.
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CHAPTER SIXTEEN
January 11, 2014
New Delhi
'I totally disagree with you and vehemently oppose what you say.'
Rajeshwar Karma was saying, 'media has always portrayed me as sworn enemy of naxals. I only agree to the fact that I am against naxals but I want to see only those dead who have, in the name of people's war, killed innumerous innocents and becoming a threat to democracy. I, like many times before, repeat again on this public forum that there is a bullet for every single individual who is a threat to innocents and system of justice but those who want to discuss and solve the problem are most welcome. We have several schemes ready to execute…….'
The interview was clearly getting hotter. The talk show was the part of weekly news program Nation Now, hosted by iconic political reporter Prakash Mittal. The guest was state's ruling party's national chief Rajeshwar Karma.
'Mr. Karma….pardon me to interrupt,' Mittal cut in, 'but last time too CM had said the same thing. If you have schemes then why don't we see them materialise. Your party is ruling the state for past four years but all we have seen is your administration declaring Special Economic Zones in Dandakaranya allegedly a mean to support foreign companies to exploit and rob us of our natural resources. Name a single tribal village that has been benefitted by your so called schemes.'
'Look Prakash, when a more than four decades old blood thirsty enemy, blind with rage is pitched against peaceful efforts of government then things take time to get in shape. Look at the figures of death toll by Naxal's shootings over past years. It has dropped down remarkably. Our forces have now better control over the area and of the major seventeen different Naxal cadres, many are scattered, losing their charisma and grip over the people in the area.'
'But opposition is accusing that your forces have only killed innocent tribals sending human rights norms for a toss. They have killed more in the past months than Naxals have averagely done per year. Opposition is also demanding a special investigation into the foreign investments done in various SEZs in the area. What do you say about this?'
Karma smiled and replied, 'I suggest the respected opposition leader Mr. Chandrakar that he should personally lead such an investigation team. Being in opposition does not mean that you do not agree with anyone for good. What role has he played in cooperating to solve this problem? All he has done, always, is to fire up the sentiments of the naxals. He has always portrayed us as a force out to kill every human being in dandakaranya who wears olive green uniform. Recently we have got two big factions of naxalites to come through political democratic pathway. Many have surrendered and several have been employed in the same SEZs which are an eyesore to him.'
'But Mr. Karma. I have reports that the two major factions have not surrendered by your efforts. They have surrendered because they went against the major power in dandakaranya - Majumdar. We all know that that area is dominated by Majumdar. The surrendered factions had no options but to take shelter with armed forces. He is running parallel junta sarkar (people's government) in the area which itself is a shame to your party. Price is being paid by innocent, poor, helpless and homeless tribals, who are caught in the crossfire between these naxals and ruthless, trigger happy armed forces.'
Karma, keeping his voice calm with great deal of effort, said, 'the deployment of armed forces has come down to half than earlier in these years. Majumdar hides behind innocent children and women. Telling an innocent tribal from a naxal is almost impossible. Whatsoever little peace and control you see is thanks to our forces' sacrifice and courage. We have SEZs in place so that natural resources could be utilized, not abused, for the benefit of area's economy and uplifting of the local tribals. Foreign investment is transparent and primarily used to develop the villages.'
'Talking of your transparent foreign investments,' Mittal spoke as if on cue, 'it's not hidden from anybody that mining and paper industries are playing havoc to the ecology and environment there. Tribals are not employed there but are exploited as slaves. First they are displaced from their fertile land in the name of SEZ and then they are forced to hard labour in return of nothing. Naxals take the advantage and use their sentiments to lure them into joining the resistance. Correct me if I'm wrong Mr. Karma.'
'Sure, Prakash, I ask you. Is this what you found with all the companies that are active there? Did you find this happening with all the tribes there? You know what? The same naxal forces are up against our efforts of arranging for schools, medical facilities and for other basic amenities for the employed tribals. Then armed forces remains the only option against the armed naxals. It's a vicious circle now Prakash. You want to do something there for good then naxals don't let you. You fight naxals then they hide behind innocent people. Any innocent tribal is killed and media is all over us. Such things render us helpless in doing what we sincerely want to do for the people there. This all adversely affects the foreign investments too. Result? A disappointing and regretful failure of democracy. The day we get to Majumdar, things will change for better.'
'But all they – the tribals – want is to be left alone. They are happy with their jungle. They want to be anonymous, inaccessible and untalked of. Why can't we just leave them alone?'
'Leave them alone?' Karma responded in astonishment, 'this suggestion is coming from an enlightened and committed journalist like you? Leaving them alone will mean letting another country, another government within government. Name: Red Corridor. The ideology of Mao and Lenin has all gone misinterpreted and abused here. Now naxals are power hungry. If they all put their arms down I promise on this public forum that all the armed forces will be pulled out and all naxals will be given special hearing in the court of law with no capital punishments. I promise them and their children better life in all aspects. And yes, no one will ever disturb the tribals there. Next time you go meet them then ask them, are they ready for this?'
'But they accuse you of being a retaliating man. They say, they know you will kill Majumdar as soon as you get a chance. We all know that when your father was killed…'
'Martyred.'
'…martyred, you had sworn publicly that you will pick and kill every one of them during the course of the time and this is what seems to be happening there thanks to the deadly commando forces. Everyone knows the few recent killings where villages have been burnt down, children killed
, women raped and shot dead point blank…I mean, in rage of wiping the monster you take everything else as mere collateral damage…'
Karma's face began moving sideways in disagreement. Seeing that, Mittal stopped in between.
'Prakash, here I want to inform the public that each and every case of alleged atrocity, wrong doing and injustice is being followed closely by me, personally. I have a dozen such cases reported which are being probed and I am, on daily basis, taking their account on progress…'
'A dozen cases…..more than half of them are four years old, what about them? They are still in progress? For so long! None of the forces' men has been sentenced for even a minute. And sir, what about the Apex Court's direction of initiating probe into the SEZs approval cases? This all is going on since many years with no results whatsoever. What would you say about this?'
'This is not a normal, routine crime scenario. This is a 'more than extra ordinary' situation. Crime site is hard-to-reach jungle. Both, victims and accusers, are illiterate tribals. There are dubious eye witnesses, doubtful statements, ignited rumours in the air and unrelenting enemy. Many socio-politico-legal issues are there. People go there and never return back. Investigating bodies have to go into the naxal infested areas. They are a big obstacle. Things are not that straight and easy. Then, in certain cases the accused policemen have already been avenged by naxals or tribals.'
'You sound as if your government is helpless and is groping in dark for want of any viable option.'
'Absolutely not. I use this platform again to send a message to naxal forces out there. Come out. Talk. Surrender. In return, government promises fair and sympathetic treatment of all. Those who have done injustice to you will be brought to justice irrespective of status, designation and position…..but….but,' abruptly Karma's tone lost all emotions but resolve. Looking straight into the camera he continued, 'there is a time limit and that is as soon as possible. After that, once government gets to you it will set an example to the whole world how effectively it deals with the threats to the country, peace, democracy and above all, the people. Choice is yours.' Finishing, Karma glanced briefly at his watch.