Author: ENS
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: October 6, 2008
URL: http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Why+Maoists+so+keen+on+owning+up?&artid=zrImZwCIbVg
Why are the Maoists so insistent on shouldering
responsibility of Swami Lakshamanananda Saraswati's killing? That too after
releasing three letters to media during last one month claiming their role
in the murder.
Weird as it may sound, but by 'repeating'
their claim to a select media group Saturday through an interview by a leader
of their State chapter that they were behind the August 23 killing has created
more suspicion about their intention.
After the Swami's murder, CPI (Maoist)'s State
Organisation Committee issued three releases to lay claim to the incident.
Secretary of the committee Sunil made it amply clear that the radicals killed
the VHP leader because they were opposed to his practices in the tribal district.
In fact, the Maoists had reportedly left a
leaflet at the Tumudibandh ashram - where the incident had occurred - staking
claim. The State Government too, in the initial days, toed the line that the
murder was the handiwork of the radicals, but never went beyond that.
Surprisingly, the Maoist outfit also kept
quiet for quite a while before it formally came out with a release to own
up responsibility following it up with two others in quick succession. In
all the three, the radicals had made it amply clear why they did it.
''So what's the need for making such a fuss
about it now? Are they trying to shield anybody? With saffron outfits blaming
it on Christian militants, the latest round of revelation has only managed
to strengthen the former's claims that the radicals are taking sides. Are
they?'' a senior police officer said.
However, the fact remains that the Orissa
Government has shot itself in its feet by not persisting with the Maoist theory
after the first few days.
Or, is it a well thought out plan to divert
attention from the strife the district is now witnessing since the Centre
is breathing down Naveen Patnaik Government's neck and the Maoist leader just
a stooge? If yes, who is behind this orchestration? The interview has thrown
up a number of such questions.
Moreover, it has also raised serious questions
on efficiency of the State Government and its police force. If the Maoist
leader, wanted by police after the spate of recent violence in the State,
can organise an interview, is it difficult for the police to pin him down?
Does it not speak volumes of the intelligence network? Or are they going oft
on him deliberately?
