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Private caste armies in Bihar
Among the Indian States, private
armies of landowners are unique to Bihar. These private armies were
founded to counter the various left-wing
extremist, Naxalite, groups operating in different parts of the
State. During the past two decades, an estimated 11 private armies have
existed at varying points of time in the State. It is difficult to state
with certainty the number and names of those that are definitely in
operation today. These armies are created and financed primarily by
landowners to protect their land and properties. One interesting feature
of these private armies is that they are invariably formed on caste-lines.
Clashes between private armies and Naxalite groups have resulted in
a number of massacres, over the years.
Previously, these private
armies confined themselves to protecting the land and properties of
particular castes. However, presently the Ranbir
Sena is seeking to expand its base by looking after the agrarian
interests of several landlords belonging to the backward castes, too.
Like the Naxalite groups that impose a `levy' on forest contractors
and illegal mine operators, these private armies have managed to sustain
themselves financially by collecting monthly fees from landlords.
Besides the caste-based
private armies listed here, there existed the Lal Sena between 1974-76.
It was the armed squad of the erstwhile underground Communist Party
of India––Marxist-Leninist (Liberation) and was founded to take-on the
landowners
Major Caste Armies
in Bihar
Name
|
Year of Formation
|
Caste Affiliation
|
Area of Operation
|
Kuer Sena
|
1979
|
Rajput
|
Bhojpur
|
Kisan Suraksha
Samiti |
1979
|
Kurmi
|
Patna,
Jehanabad, Gaya |
Bhumi Sena
|
1983
|
Kurmi
|
Patna,
Nawada, Nalanda, Jehanabad |
Lorik Sena
|
1983
|
Yadav
|
Patna,
Jehanabad, Nalanda |
Bramharshi Sena
|
1984
|
Bhumihar
|
Bhojpur,
Aurangabad, Jehanabad |
Kisan Sangh
|
1984
|
Rajput,
Brahmin |
Palamu,
Aurangabad |
Kisan Sewak Samaj
|
1985
|
Rajput
|
Palamu,
Aurangabad |
Sunlight Sena
|
1989
|
Pathan,
Rajput |
Palamu,
Garhwa, Aurangabad, Gaya |
Sawarna Liberation
Front |
1990
|
Bhumihar
|
Gaya,
Jehanabad |
Kisan Sangh
|
1990
|
Bhumihar
|
Patna,
Bhojpur |
Kisan Morcha
|
1989-90
|
Rajput
|
Bhojpur
|
Ganga Sena
|
1990
|
Rajput,
|
Bhojpur
|
Ranvir Sena
|
1994
|
Bhumihar
|
Bhojpur,
Patna, Jehanabad, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya |
Gram Suraksha
Parishad |
1995
|
` |
Bhojpur
|
Mazdoor Kisan
Sangh |
1996
|
` |
Bettiah
|
Source: Prakash
Louis, People Power: The Naxalite Movement in Central Bihar,
Delhi: Wordsmith, 2002 and various media reports.
|