The outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) has claimed responsibility for killing senior Bastar journalist Sai Reddy (51). In a statement, the powerful South Regional Committee (SRC) of the Maoists has alleged that Mr. Reddy closely worked with the police to dislodge CPI-Maoist in south Bastar. “That is why the people have awarded death to Mr. Reddy,” the four-page statement said. However, the press release, signed by SRC secretary Ganesh Wike, also stated that the party is not averse to criticism and journalists writing against the CPI-Maoist. The local journalists of Bastar refuted the Maoist argument that Mr. Reddy was associated with the police.
The press release, dated December 10, was delivered to journalists on Tuesday night. Describing Mr. Reddy as a “reactionary journalist,” the release claimed that he helped the security forces strengthen their base in Maoist areas over last several years. He played an active role against the people’s movement in Basaguda and Usur areas over the last two decades, it claimed. It also alleged that he had worked closely with the police in the 1997 Jan Jagran Abhiyan (precursor to anti-Maoist, vigilante movement, Salwa Judum). The Maoists further claimed that Mr. Reddy played an active role in Salwa Judum after its formation.
“He introduced several young men of Basaguda to Salwa Judum and also played a key role to recruit Special Police Officers,” the release said while accusing Mr. Reddy of murder and arson. “He was active in establishing a spy network in the area,” said the SRC secretary.
The SRC is perhaps the strongest of the Maoist regional committees in the country with at least three administrative cum political divisions — south and west Bastar and Darbha — under its command. It has no less than four (out of 12) military companies and more than a dozen platoons reporting to divisions. The committee was earlier headed by Ramanna, the incumbent State secretary. SRC reports to the state committee of the region — Dandakarnya Special Zonal Committee — and operates in the lower half of southern Chhattisgarh, adjacent areas of eastern Maharastra and Telangana.
Ganesh Wike, who signed the press release, is the chief of SRC. Thus an affirmation by Mr. Wike, claiming responsibility for killing Sai Reddy, cannot be seen as an average statement, feel observers. “The statement has to be connected to the highest decision making body — the Central Committee — if it is coming from SRC,” said a former Maoist leader of southern India, on condition of anonymity.
The Maoists, however, clarified that the party is not against journalists of Bastar. “It is not a policy of the party to assassinate journalists who would write against us. We do not encourage any policy to jeopardize the independence of the media … rather we strongly support freedom of speech and the right to write.”