The CPI-Marxist-leninist-Maoist (CPI-MlM), the new outfit floated recently by Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, has dubbed his arrest as “an act of cowardice” by the State Government.
In a letter released to the media on Sunday, CPI (MlM) Central Committee leader Sekhar said Panda was a victim of conspiracy and betrayal.
Stating that the Government’s earlier call to Panda to give up arms and work for welfare of people was a pretentious move, Sekhar said although Panda had responded to the appeal and kept himself away from any form of violence, the Government made all efforts to arrest him by conducting a series of raids and fake encounters from Bhaliaguda to Salimagochha and even planned to eliminate him.
Sekhar said the CPI-MlM is determined to continue the movement started by Panda.
Panda had launched the CPI-MlM barely six weeks before his arrest with the help of a couple of small Maoist groups in West Bengal and the CPI-Ml (Janshakti) and was reportedly making efforts to join hands with the CPI-Maoist, which had expelled him in 2012.