For many, technology had become a tool of development but it turned out to be disruptive force for Maoists, felt Telangana DGP in-charge M. Mahender Reddy.
In an informal discussion during his maiden visit as State Police Chief to The Hindu office here on Thursday, he said information technology had changed the youth's perception of life.
Electronic devices and Internet had kept the youth occupied in rural areas and prevented them from getting attracted to Left-wing extremism in the State. Unlike two decades ago when the Left-wing extremism movement was at its peak in the State, youngsters now have immense opportunities on the career and entertainment fronts.
That had naturally distracted them from getting lured to Maoists, he said. Development programmes taken up by successive governments too dissuaded people from Maoists, he felt. Asked if the State was completely free of Maoists, he made it clear that there was no presence or movement of Maoist squads in any part of Telangana.
Nearly 120 persons belonging to Telangana were actively working with the Communist Party of India (Maoist). “Though they were assigned by the party to work in Telangana, they are confined to Chhattisgarh as Telangana police were alert,” he observed.
They made several attempts to enter the State, but receded immediately to Chhattisgarh due to the vigilant Telangana police. These Maoists were making desperate attempts to make their presence felt on the fringe areas of Jayashankar Bhupalpally and Kothagudem-Bhadradri districts. Attempts were made to revive Maoist movement in the border areas of Adilabad district and Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.
That had been suppressed effectively by the Maharashtra police. The biggest concern for the police was 12 persons from the two Telugu speaking States being members of the Maoist Central Committee. While 10 of them are from Telangana, two belonged to Andhra Pradesh. Because of their roots and connections, the top 10 Maoist leaders would always try to revive their presence in Telangana, he added.
