Chhattisgarh Police on Tuesday claimed that there is serious infighting within the Maoist ranks, leading to fratricide.
“In the last one month, six Naxalites were killed by their own cadres in West Bastar Division of Bijapur District,” Inspector General of Police (Bastar) Sundarraj. P was quoted as saying in a press release.
After the reported killing of senior Maoist cadre Modiyam Vijja by his own cadres in Pediya area of Bijapur district, police in Bastar have got information that five more Naxalites have been murdered in infighting in West Bastar Division, Sundarraj said.
Vijja, who was the Gangaloor Area Committee member in West Bastar, was killed on October 1 in Pediya jungles by his deputy Dinesh Modiyami and senior Pappa Rao over the disputed civilian killings in Bijapur district, the officer said.
According to Sundarraj, Vijja was a Divisional Committee member who was carrying a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head.
Likewise, Sandip alias Budharam Kursam, who was Janmilitia Platoon Section Commander and carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh, was also murdered.
In the same way, Lakhu Hemla (Maoist Jantana school in-charge), on whom the government had declared a Rs 3 lakh reward, was too killed. Santosh (DAKMS Range Committee President) carrying a reward of Rs 3 lakh, Dasru Mandavi (Jantana Sarkar President) carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh and Kamlu Punem, Militia Platoon Commander carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh, were also killed.
“There is a lot of dissent among the senior cadres and local cadres with regard to mindless violence against the innocent tribals. Police are trying to verify this information,” Sundarraj said.