South Asia Terrorism Portal

Maoists: Extreme Measures
Deepak Kumar Nayak
Research Assistant, Institute for Conflict Management

On July 6, 2018, cadres of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) killed a civilian, identified as Raiju Wadde, accusing him of being a ‘police informer’, at Tiralgarh village under the Bande Police Station area in the Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Jaiprakash Badhai disclosed that CPI-Maoist cadres raided Wadde's house, dragged him out on to the streets and assaulted him. Subsequently, the Maoist conducted a ‘jan adalat’ (people’s/ praja/ kangaroo court) in the village and shot Wadde dead.

On June 28, 2018, cadres of the CPI-Maoist killed a civilian, identified as Sukra Muduli, suspecting him to be a ‘police informer’, at Jantri village in the "cut-off" region of Chitrakonda in Malkangiri District in Odisha. CPI-Maoist cadres conducted a ‘jan adalat’ in the village and killed Muduli. Earlier, the Maoists had warned Muduli to stop working for the Police and had given him a death threat.

On June 20, 2018, CPI-Maoist cadres killed a civilian identified as Hirachand Yadav aka Bogga, slitting his throat at Useli village under Ambeda Police Station limits in the Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. Hirachand and his brother Bhujanlal Yadav were both produced in a ‘jan adalat’ at the village weekly bazaar (market). Nearly 50 CPI-Maoist cadres were present during the ‘jan adalat’. A Maoist poster recovered by the Police alleged that Hirachand was working as a ‘police informer’ and was poisoning food to kill Maoists.

On May 27, 2018, a 25-year-old villager was abducted and beaten to death by CPI-Maoist cadres in a forest area under Kuakonda Police Station limits in the Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Budhram Podiyam, the victim, along with some other villagers, was abducted from Budarikarka village under Kuakonda Police Station in Dantewada District, and was beaten to death after Maoists held a ‘jan adalat’ in a nearby forest. The other villagers, who were assaulted and then set free, told Police that Podiyam was killed as Maoists had accused him of being a ‘police informer’.

According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) database, the Maoists have executed at least nine civilians, branding them ‘police informer’, in nine ‘jan adalats’ (six held in Chhattisgarh and three in Odisha), so far in 2018 (all data till July 8, 2018). Meanwhile, at least 64 civilians have been killed in Naxal (Left Wing Extremism, LWE)-related incidents this year across the country, out of which 39 were accused of being ‘police informers’.

In the corresponding period of 2017, at least one civilian was executed in four ‘jan adalats’ (one held each in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand; and two in Odisha) as a ‘police informer’. In the remaining period of 2017, another three civilians were executed in seven ‘jan adalats’ (two in Chhattisgarh and five in Odisha). A total of 109 civilians were killed in Naxal-related incidents across the country through 2017, of which 59 were accused of being ‘police informers’.

In order to create terror among civilians in the Naxal affected areas, the Naxalites (Left Wing Extremists), in their ‘jan adalats’ also called ‘praja courts’, execute various sentences against civilians allegedly loyal to the State or who do not subscribe to their ideology in areas of Maoist dominance. According to partial data compiled by SATP, since September 21, 2004, at least 97 such ‘jan adalats’ have been held by LWE cadres in eight Naxal affected States: Andhra Pradesh (eight), Bihar (12), Chhattisgarh (24), Jharkhand (16), Madhya Pradesh (one), Maharashtra (one), Odisha (26) and West Bengal (nine).

Worryingly, the number of such ‘jan adalats’ increased to nine in the current year 2018 (data till July 8, 2018) as compared to four in the corresponding period of 2017. However, there were 11 such ‘jan adalats’ through 2017. Persons killed due to ‘jan adalat’ directives have also increased to eight this year, as compared to one in the corresponding period of 2017. The number of persons killed due to ‘jan adalat’ directives stood at four through 2017.

Meanwhile, a total of 677 alleged ‘Police informers’ have been killed by the Maoists since the formation of the group in September 21, 2004.

A cursory look at the table indicates that since the formation of the CPI-Maoist on September 21, 2004, Odisha has registered at least 151 fatalities of civilians branded as ‘police informer’, and is ranked 1^st among a total of 11 States where such fatalities have been recorded over this period. Chhattisgarh, with 145 such fatalities ranked 2^nd; Jharkhand with 126, ranked 3^rd; Andhra Pradesh with 86 ranked 4^th; Maharashtra with 72 ranked 5^th; West Bengal with 53 ranked 6^th; Bihar with 34 ranked 7^th; Telangana with five ranked 8^th; Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh with two each, ranked 9^th; and Karnataka with one such fatality ranked 10^th.

Overall fatalities indicate that the civilian population is safer today than was the case a few years ago. In terms of civilian fatalities, Maoist violence in the country peaked in 2010, when 626 civilians were killed. In 2015, till July 8, a low of 48 fatalities in this category was recorded, going up to 93 through the whole of 2015. There was a spike in 2016 with 123 civilian fatalities. Civilian fatalities declined to 109 in 2017. 64 fatalities have been recorded in this category in the current year, thus far (data till July 8).

The declining trend in civilian fatalities is also confirmed by the data released by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA). UMHA data indicates that 524 civilian fatalities were recorded in 2005, rising to 720 in 2010. Thereafter, 469 civilians were killed in 2011; 301 in 2012; 282 in 2013; 222 in 2014; and 171 in 2015. Civilian fatalities rose to 213 in 2016, to decline again to 188 in 2017; and 66 in the current year, up to May 15.

With the Maoists losing ground across all their areas of erstwhile dominance and activity, the killing of alleged ‘police informers’ is likely to continue or even increase. A strong operational response by the SFs, and measures to enhance protection to civilians, will be needed as the Maoists weaken further.

ZUF: Factional Feuds  
M.A. Athul
Research Assistant, Institute for Conflict Management

On June 28, 2018, Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) militants shot dead a civilian, identified as Lanshinthui Kamei, at Gairilong Luangrang village in the Noney District of Manipur. The militants alleged that Kamei was an informer for the Security Forces (SFs).

On May 3, 2018, two ZUF militants were killed in an internecine clash in the jungle area between Khamnang and Douban villages under the jurisdiction of the Mahur Police Station in the Dima Hasao District of Assam. According to reports, the clash was between two factions of ZUF, one led by S. Kamson and the other by Jenchui Kamei.

On March 15, 2018, another ZUF militant, identified as 'sergeant major' Gonbi Gonmei, was killed in an internecine clash between the two factions at Dauban in Dima Hasao District. It was not known which of the two factions the victim belonged to.

On March 21, 2018, the body of a former ZUF militant, who was abducted from Longreijang Khun in the Jiribam District of Manipur by unidentified assailants, was recovered from under a bridge adjoining Digli and Ramgaizang in the Cachar District of Assam.

According to partial data compiled by the Institute for Conflict Management (ICM), at least five (two civilians and three militants) ZUF-linked fatalities have been reported from two States, Assam and Manipur, in the current year (data till July 8, 2018). Since February 25, 2011, the number of such fatalities stands at 54 (six civilians, three SF personnel, and 45 militants). These fatalities have been reported from two states: Assam (three) and Manipur (51). Significantly, no ZUF linked incident has been reported from Nagaland thus far.

ZUF was formed on February 25, 2011, with the proclaimed objective of protecting the interests of the Zeliangrong tribe (a Naga sub-group). The ZUF founding ‘chairman’ S. Kamson, at the time of formation, had stated, “we will defend the land and resources of the Zeliangrong people, our culture, our historical values, traditional and customary habitats of the Zeliangrong community.” He had declared that that ZUF's ‘jurisdiction’ falls over the 'Zeliangrong Naga' inhabited areas of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. According to an April 2017 report, ZUF had a cadre strength of around 300. The Zeliangrong Tiger Force (ZTF) is the military wing of ZUF.

The internal split within ZUF reportedly occurred in April 2017. In a Press Release issued on April 5, 2017, the outfit's 'information and publicity secretary' Hemsin Kamson had stated that ZUF ‘commander-in-chief’ Jenchui Kamei and 'finance secretary' Benjamin aka Gaichampou Pamei, were 'expelled from the party for their anti-party activities' in accordance to a decision of ZUF’s 'central executive council'.

However, in a statement on April 6, 2017, the faction led by Jenchui Kamei refuted the reports of the ‘expulsion’ and instead claimed that, in a joint meeting, the ‘central executive council’ and ‘military council’, held on April 3, 2017, Jenchui Kamei was elected ‘chairman’ of ZUF. The statement alleged that ‘chairman’ S. Kamson, Hemsin Kamson, and ‘finance secretary’ A. Longmei aka Dihem Longmei deliberately avoided the joint meeting. This release further asserted that the trio stood expelled from the outfit.

Since the reported split, according to ICM data, two incidents of internecine clashes have resulted in three militant deaths. Meanwhile, on May 7, 2018, the two ZUF factions arrived at a ‘cease fire agreement’ with each other. According to a joint press release by the two groups, the development was a step paving the way for ‘reconciliation and to come together as one’. The press release also stated that the development was a move ‘on the path towards achieving the aspiration of the Zeliangrong people’.

ZUF comprises breakaway elements from the Isak Muivah and the Khaplang factions of the National (NSCN-IM and NSCN-K). Factional clashes with these formations are, consequently, a regular feature in the areas of contestation between the three groups. According to ICM data, since its formation in 2011, ZUF has been involved in at least 24 incidents of clashes with NSCN factions, resulting in 37 fatalities [34 militants (three NSCN-K, 12 ZUF, 12 NSCN-IM; affiliation of seven militants not ascertained) and three civilians].

Two of the most prominent factional clashes (in terms of fatalities) include:

September 25, 2012: Six militants were killed and one civilian was wounded in a clash between NSCN-IM and ZUF militants in the Tamenglong District of Manipur. The identities and factional affiliation of the slain militants were unconfirmed

October 7, 2011: Six NSCN-IM militants were killed and five wounded in a clash with the ZUF at Leishok village in Tamenglong District.

In the most recent factional clash, on March 3, 2018, NSCN-IM and ZUF exchanged fire near Nungadang in Tamenglong District. No fatalities were reported.

ZUF has also been found involved in at least nine attacks on SFs. Two of these resulted in fatalities, with six killed (two SF personnel, three militants, and one civilian). Further, seven ZUF militants have been killed in six SF initiated operations. Moreover, at least 33 ZUF militants have been arrested by SFs till date.

ZUF has also been involved in six attacks specifically targeting civilians, resulting in five civilian deaths. 

In the most prominent attack till date, on February 21, 2017, ZUF militants attacked the convoy of the then Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur, Gaikhangam  Gangmei, first at the Lubanglong Khunou (Namkaolong) Part II area in Noney District, and again near the Irang River in Noney District. Later, the militants launched the third attack targeting the convoy at Lubanglong Khunou Part II (Noney District), when the Deputy CM was at his residence. One Policeman was injured in this attack. The fourth and final attack on the same day took place along the Old Cachar Road (Noney District), near the spot where the first attack was carried out. One Policeman was injured.

Four days later, on February 25, 2017, ZUF's 'chairman' Kamson on the occasion of the outfit's 6^th raising day stated,

The ‘commander-in-chief’ Jenchui added,

This demand for separate statehood has put the group in conflict with NSCN-IM. One of the main demands of the latter, which has been negotiating with the Government of India (GoI), is the integration of all Naga-inhabited areas under one administrative unit. These include the Districts of Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong and Senapati in Manipur; some areas of Assam; and some areas of Arunachal Pradesh. When ZUF was formed in 2011, NSCN-IM had alleged that creation of ZUF was a result of direct manipulation by Government agencies, including Tamenglong-based politicians and Assam Rifles (AR). Later, on September 29, 2012, ZUF had alleged that NSCN-IM was an irresponsible outfit, which had failed to protect the Zeliangrong.

Internecine and factional clashes among various Naga militant formations continues to remain a source of concern in an otherwise dramatically improved security scenario in these areas. Despite these ‘turf wars’, the Northeast Region has, according to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, seen a reduction of violence by 36 per cent between 2016 and 2017. Despite the rapidly improving security scenario and a potential peace accord between NSCN-IM and GoI, internecine hostilities are a continuing impediment to establishing a permanent peace in Naga inhabited areas of the Northeast.