Maoists Set up a Helpline

In recent times, particularly after they began the Lalgarh siege in 2008, India’s Maoists have been accused of not being able to rein in their cadre.

In recent times, particularly after they began the Lalgarh siege in 2008, India’s Maoists have been accused of not being able to rein in their cadre. There have been times when Maoists have killed people, and the Maoist leadership has later reacted to the event by saying that the act was committed by errant cadre. (It happened even in the case of the beheading of Jharkhand policeman Francis Induwar.)

Now, on the occasion of the foundation day of the CPI (Maoist)—it was formed on 21 September 2004 after the merger of two major Maoist parties, PWG and MCC—the party has launched a helpline to enable people to air their grievances and lodge complaints against Maoist cadre operating anywhere in the country.

A senior Maoist leader said that people could call 9933655800 seven days a week, between 6 pm to 8 pm. He said that if any complaints are found true, action will be taken against the Maoist cadres who are found to be harassing people unnecessarily.

However, on the very first day, the helpline seemed to be non-functional. Calls made on the number were answered by an electronic message from the mobile service provider, announcing that calls cannot be made to this number. It is not clear whether the CPI (Maoist) has been unable to start this helpline or whether the state agencies have blocked calls to the number. Whatever the case, this announcement by Maoists is being seen as an attempt to reach out to people at a time when their image has taken a beating across the country.

About The Author

Rahul Pandita

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