If you think transfer policy is an exclusive domain of the Governments and its agencies, think again!
The Maoist groups operating in Chhattisgarh and the entire Red corridor have their ‘own’ transfer policy for their senior combatants. While officials working under an elected Government in a democratic system can challenge the transfer if he or she wishes to, there is no such complaint redressal cell in the Maoist set-up. Once a combatant is transferred, he or she has no option but to accept the order.
This was disclosed by Maini Mandavi, a deputy commander level member of the CPI (Maoist) group to reporters here who left her ‘Dalam’ with a resolve to surrender and join the societal mainstream. She added that about 8 to 10 members work in each ‘Dalam’ with each unit being assigned a special task. She also said that every year, one member from each Dalam gets shifted but it is not a mandatory rule. The shifting of a member may take place in one month or even once in a decade. Mandavi said that she rose from the ranks and reached the rank of a Deputy Commander and was assigned the task of expanding the Maoist base in Gariyaband when she decided to quit and join the societal mainstream.
She said that Maoists from Nepal train the insurgents. “The trainers remain in a camp for three to four days and impart training in handling arms and ambush tactics.” “The Maoists from Andhra Pradesh and Bihar also visit Bastar but Maoists from Bastar are not permitted to meet the senior leaders of the same groups,” Mandavi said. There is another element of the Maoist way of life as she explained: “There is a quota fixed for non-vegetarian food in the group in which dishes such as chicken, fish, eggs, pork and mutton is served. The senior Maoist leaders sit down and eat with other comrades and no special food is prepared for them.” The consumption of alcohol, beedis and cigarettes is banned across the insurgent groups, Mandavi said.
“There are many Maoist leaders who have married. There is no ban on marriage but they cannot have children,” she said. Mandavi said that she took the initiative to surrender but the Government was yet to response to her plea.