UP constitutes special task force to tackle Naxal menace

Source: Express India
Lucknow, March 20 In the wake of seven more districts of the state coming under the Naxal influence, the government has now constituted a separate Special Task Force (Extremists) to tackle the Maoist problem. Sources said that a DIG-rank officer would head the new force.

The government’s move comes just after the conclusion of a meeting of the Naxal Task Force (NTF) in Lucknow this week. Earlier, only three districts of Sonebhadra, Mirzapur and Chandauli were supposed to have a considerable number of Naxals but the recent reports of the central agencies point to the presence of presence of Naxals in other seven districts of the state, including Allahabad, Chitrakoot, Deoriya, Banda and Ballia.

“The problem of the Left wing extremism is in Allahabad and Chitrakoot districts as the Naxals have almost completed their preliminary stage of growth and have now established their own units,” a source said. The knowledge about the spread of Naxals to new districts of the state came after some Maoists were arrested from different parts of the state. “During their interrogation, they said about their attempt to make inroads in the remote areas of the state.

“The Bundelkhand region comprising Chitrakoot, Banda, and Mahoba have been Naxal target for long. They also want to spread it to Jhansi,” he said.

The officials believe that Naxals have made inroads in the state through the bordering Naxal-affected districts of Bihar. “Ballia district shares border with the Bihar’s Buxar district, which figured in the list of Bihar’s Naxal-affected part. Moreover, Bhabhua and Rohtas districts border Ballia,” the source. Presence of Naxals in Allahabad is not surprising as Shankargarh is notorious for explosive supply to anti-socials.

The RED Terror:: A PROJECT ON NAXALITES

The RED Terror

A PROJECT ON NAXALITES

The objective is to portray the danger that Naxalism is bringing to the unified nation of India. At the same time, we want to show that the gun is not only solution. Development and the Soci-economic that ancient techniques such as pranayama can help to bring this people around, as a few spiritual organizations have already proved… for example the Art of Living Foundation. We also have to highlight in a subtle manner the fact that Naxalites operate in extremely poor areas.

The exhibition will : 1) demonstrate graphically and with statistics the widespread presence of Naxalites in India (along with a brief on how they may link to Maoists in Nepal) and 2) What we can do/what has already been done to bring them around.

We plan to do this project in three stages: 1) A travelling exhibition with about 40 panels with captions and text printed on high quality photo paper which can design/ print either in Delhi or in Auroville

1. A film, if you are ready to fund it, which will be shown during the exhibition and can be made into a documentary for television channels

2. If both these are successful, we can envision doing a book on Naxalites with text and photos, whose angle will be historical and academic and that will aim at becoming the reference book for journalists/academics on Naxalism. Book will have to be funded by a publisher.

What we need from you

1) Statistics

2) photos showing havoc created by Naxalites (if possible recent, like attack on CPRF camp in UP, escape from jail etc)

3) portraits of famous naxalites/founders/most wanted

4) A history of Naxalism (if possible), otherwise we will do our own research

5) film/archives footage on naxalites if we are doing the film and on regions where they operate (AP, UP, Bihar etc)

6) A detailed brief on firearms/explosives they employ and how they procure them (if any outside help give, please mention)

7) Something about the red corridor (dandakaranya) that the Maoists talk about, from Nepal to Tamil Nadu.

How you could also help behind the scenes:

1. Get us space for exhibit in metro cities either in Government-owned cultural centers, or in public places such as IIC in Delhi

2. Help us to generate high publicity inaugurations

3. Once you approve film, help us to distribute it/screen it on doordarshan or other private channels and eventually send it abroad to documentary festivals

IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT FACT INDIA WILL BE THE SOLE BEARER AND ORGANIZER OF THIS EXHIBITION/FILM/BOOK AND THAT GOI’S NAME WILL APPEAR NOWHERE

B. BUDGET FOR EXHIBITION

1. Exhibition

I.	40 panels on an average @ Rs.5000/-		TWO LAKHS
II	Graphic design. 50 hours@2000 Rs		100.000 Rs
III	Miscellaneous charges: transport, hotel, restaurant, Xerox, courier		50.000 Rs
		TOTAL: 350.000 RUPEES

2. Film

I.	Film Studio. 100 hours@1000 Rs an hour		100.000 Rs
II	Filming extra footage 10 hours @4000 Rs		40.000 Rs
III	Miscellaneous charges: transport, hotel, restaurant, Xerox, courier		50.000 Rs
		TOTAL: 190.000 RUPEES