Maoists on backfoot as forces intercept their calls

Maoists in the region are facing a tough time with security forces breaking into their communication network. If sources are to be believed, this has left the cadre clueless about their next move.

Sources revealed that top leaders of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit had been using very high frequency radio waves to communicate and share information for better co-ordination. However, with police and intelligence agencies managing to intercept it, they switched over to high frequency to keep the communication intact and escape the surveillance radars of intelligence units, but in vain.

While sources said the Maoists are lying low due to the increased presence of security forces, recovery of a huge cache of China-made communication systems and other equipment in Koraput district in December point at significant technological upgrade by the ultras.

It is learnt that with the police and intelligence agencies making a dent in the communication system of the Maoists, they are unable to communicate with the middle rung leadership forcing them to undertake ‘mindless’ violence to keep the outfit afloat. It has also broken their network of sympathisers who have been caught by the police and security forces, forcing villagers to isolate them.

Sources added that under current situation, Maoists have found themselves at the mercy of local criminal groups. Under the arrangement, criminals have infiltrated into the Maoist outfit and are resorting to extortion.

Rajat Kujur, an expert in studies on Maoism, said the death and arrest of many of their top leaders, the CPI (Maoists) cadre on the ground have become clueless on their operation. “Also the middle-level leadership is not that tech savvy and hence, their cellphones are being intercepted by security forces,” Kujur added.