Resistance groups join forces in India

NAXALITE resistance fighters in India are said to be teaming up with freedom fighters in the North East territories of the oppressive pro-Western state.

The Assam Tribune reports that the peasant rebel movement, politically Maoist-led but clearly a manifestation of a much deeper-rooted resistance to the destruction of their natural way of life by neoliberalism, has "started eyeing the North East region yet again after managing to regain their bases in Jangalmahal area of West Bengal".

It says senior Naxalite leader Kishenji has already made efforts to establish links with the anti-talk faction of the United liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).

And an article in Eurasia Review recalls: "In October 2008, the Manipur based People’s Liberation Army (PLA) inked a three-point pact with the CPI-Maoist calling for consolidation of “mutual understanding and friendship” to “overthrow the common enemy”, the “reactionary regime of India”.

Highly placed official sources in New Delhi apparently told the Assam Tribune that previous attempts by the Naxalite rebel groups to establish strong roots in the North East region failed, but the organizations had started making fresh efforts after a number of militant outfits came over ground to hold peace talks with the Government of India for political solution of the issues.

Sources said that according to information available, some "modules" of the Maoist groups have started working in the North East region, particularly in Assam.

Added the newspaper: "Sources said that the militant groups of North East having shelter in Myanmar have already decided to come closer and if the Maoist rebels manage to join hands with them, the situation in the region may deteriorate fast.

"The Maoist groups have already signed an agreement with the PLA of Manipur and Maoist leader Kishenji has talked often about coming to same kind of arrangement with the anti-talk faction of the ULFA. Under the circumstances, the possibility of the Maoists coming closer to all the militant outfits of the region cannot be ruled out."

Explaining the reasons for the Naxalite uprising, author and campaigner Arundhati Roy has said: "The constitution ratified colonial policy and made the state custodian of tribal homelands.

"Overnight, it turned the entire tribal population into squatters on their own land. It denied them their traditional rights to forest produce. It criminalised a whole way of life. In exchange for the right to vote, it snatched away their right to livelihood and dignity."