A Home Ministry circular alerts heads of paramilitary forces and police in the Maoist-affected states that the CPI-Maoist has 57 “front bodies” of peasants, labourers, women, students, tribals and trade unions who have helped the banned outfit raise the level of its tactical warfare, including winning court battles and getting their arrested leaders released.
The circular, according to sources, was sent out days before the Home Ministry in a stringent warning to civil society groups said those who speak in favour of Maoist guerrillas will face legal action and 10 years’ imprisonment under Section 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Intelligence Bureau circular says about 30 organisations are actively involved in popularising the Maoist ideology also in the states that are not affected by Left-wing extremism.
Among the groups being watched include People’s Union for Civil Liberties that has Justice (Retd) Rajinder Sachar as one of its key members. The group was formed in 1976 by Jaiprakash Narain. The others being closely watched are the Krantikari Lok Adhikar Aangathan of Uttarakhand, the Revolutionary People’s Front of Kerala, the Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha, the Disha Sanskritik Manch of Haryana and the Bandi Mukti Committee of West Bengal.