Maoists challenge attraction after protests over risk to journalists with ‘corporate link’

Days after protests by journalists in Bastar division following a risk by Maoists, who accused them of company hyperlinks, the ultras have launched a letter and a press observe interesting that the protests be stopped whereas stating that they advocate the liberty of press and not one of the journalists might be harmed.
Journalists working in areas affected by Left Wing Extremism in Bastar plan to ship a delegation to talk to the Maoists.
On Wednesday, the CPI (Maoist) Dakshin Sub Zonal Bureau issued a letter to the journalists, interesting to cease the protests and saying that any challenge can be solved by speaking. A press observe was issued on Thursday by the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee spokesperson Vikalp. “We will find out the reality of the situation after listening to both sides… Due to technical errors, our meeting might take some time to be organised,” the observe learn. It said that journalists engaged on the bottom and for the individuals are welcome to roam round fearlessly in Dandakaranya.
This is the primary time the Maoists have responded to a pushback after threats had been issued to journalists.
“Years ago, Maoists had threatened and then killed a journalist. But this time, journalists from Bastar have taken a stand. We are targeted by police and Maoists alike just for doing our work with honesty,” stated Ganesh Mishra, amongst journalists in Bijapur district who had been named within the press observe launched on February 9 by the CPI (Maoist) Dakshin Sub Zonal Bureau.

After Mishra was named within the press observe together with Leeladhar Rathi, Farukh Ali and Shubhranshu Chaudhari, journalists from Bastar held a protest in Bijapur’s Gangaloor earlier than holding a gathering in Jagdalpur, the place it was determined {that a} delegation would go to talk to the Maoists.
Mishra, who has been receiving help from journalists and students, stated, “We will decide our delegation and they will then give us time and place.”
Bastar IG P Sundarraj stated the police are ready to take care of threats. “The incident reflects the growing frustration and madness in the Naxal rank and file. Rattled by the losing ground, drying down of recruitment, disassociation of general mass in recent times, Maoists are thoroughly confused about what to do and what not to. Maoists have fallen prey to the typical ‘if you are not my friend then you are my enemy’ syndrome. This thought and behavior of Naxal leadership would prove to be the final nail in the coffin,” he stated.