A group of 21 jailed maoists, led by former “sub-zonal commander” of the Sone-Ganga-Vindhyazal zone Sudama Oraon, have accused senior comrades of “living in town” and exploiting the lower cadre, mostly illiterate and poor tribals. In a two-page “press release” on jail application paper, duly signed or carrying their thumb impression, the 21 say the senior maoists “hobnob with jungle mafia and landlords, embezzle party funds and put the blame on...

-CNN-IBN Upset over various incidents ranging from the Park Street rape case to attack on human rights organisations, intellectuals of Kolkata, including a Trinamool Congress MP, on Thursday hit the streets in protest against the 11-month-old Trinamool regime in the state. "There are lots of differences between the old Mamata Banerjee and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The people of this state have thrown away those who have tried to throttle the voice...

Bamboo bows drawn taut and lethal arrow heads catching the sun's glint, the Baigas- a dwindling tribe in the remote jungles of Ranjara in Madhya Pradesh's Dindori district - are standing guard for their gods against whom they consider state-sponsored marauders. These lush jungles have been their homes for generations and Baigas worship trees as gods. Tribal men, women and children now stand guard, armed against axes and saws - ironically,...

-The Indian Express   CRPF in Abhujmaad shows how ‘liberated zone’ is a self-serving myth for maoists and govt   In a never-before feat, the CRPF entered the mysterious heart of maoist territory last month — over 6,000 sq km of jungle splayed across Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Abhujmaad, literally, the unknown hills, has been left to itself after the maoists moved here in the 1980s and, having found no trace of administration, declared it...

-IANS A fast track court in Odisha Tuesday acquitted a top maoist leader's wife in a 2003 shootout case for lack of evidence, sources said. Her release was sought by the rebels in exchange for an Italian who has been held captive by them since last month.  The fast track court at Gunpur in Rayagada district acquitted Subhashree Das, wife of maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, who was behind last month's abduction of...