Report: Aditya Rai
In Gondia, Maharashtra, prominent leader of Naxalite organization CPI (Maoist) Anant alias Vikas Nagpure alias Vinod Radhaswami surrendered along with 11 associates. The surrender of this Naxalite carrying a reward of Rs 25 lakh can reveal the secrets of Naxalite conspiracies in cases like Khairlanji massacre (2006) and Bhima Koregaon violence (2018). With the surrender, the triangle of MMC zone (Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh) is on the verge of being declared Naxal-free. Maharashtra Police can get hold of the urban network of Naxalites and many such information, which till now were big puzzles for the agencies and police.
Anant alias Vikas Nagpure surrendered before DIG Ankit Goyal. Along with him were 11 Naxalites including technical team chief Pratap and female wing commander Ranu. Pratap was an expert in weapons manufacturing, while Ranu had created a strong women’s unit, which remained a challenge for the security forces. With the surrender, the Naxalites deposited their weapons. This incident is going to weaken Naxalism, because the triangle area of MMC zone is now moving towards becoming Naxal-free. The government will make its official announcement soon.
From Naxalite family to Anant’s studies in Mumbai
About 50 year old Anant was born in a Naxalite family. His parents were Naxalites active in Andhra Pradesh, who lived a guerrilla life. The organization itself got Anant’s primary education done in government schools. After 12th, he was sent to Mumbai, where he completed his graduation in Arts from 1999-2002. Anant, known as Vikas Nagpure in Nagpur, worked in Naxal-inspired student organizations. Recruitment was done in Vidarbha by influencing Dalit-affected youth with revolutionary speeches. Anant, close to Milind Teltumbde, strengthened the urban network. His surrender will now help the police in solving the mysteries of the urban Naxalite structure.
Will the Khairlanji murder case be exposed?
On 29 September 2006, four members of a Dalit family were brutally murdered in Khairlanji village of Bhandara district of Maharashtra. The murder of Surekha Bhotmange, her daughter Priyanka, sons Roshan and Sudhir involved rape and mutilation. This case of caste violence became the cause of nationwide outrage. In 2008, the court hanged six and gave life imprisonment to two. But later the Nagpur High Court changed the death sentence to life imprisonment and in 2010 the Supreme Court also upheld the High Court’s decision.
Then violence broke out like this
Naxalites took advantage of this incident. Anant carried out ideological brainwashing among the youth through student organizations. Incited violence. Demolition, arson and police attacks were promoted by terming the government machinery as anti-Dalit. Anant has all the secrets of this conspiracy, who were the collaborators, how many were recruited, who were the urban cadres? These secrets can be revealed through surrender.
Bhima Koregaon: Another pattern of violence
In January 2018, violence of the same pattern took place in Bhima Koregaon. Anant was then active in the urban areas of Maharashtra. Naxalites instigated caste tension and joined the youth with the organization. This incident was also part of strengthening the urban network. Anant’s surrender can reveal the layers of these conspiracies, which till now remained a mystery to the agencies.
Public’s disillusionment behind surrender: Anant’s philosophical words
After the surrender, Anant said philosophically, “There is pressure from the security forces, but the main reason is the public’s rejection of armed Maoism. Weapons have become irrelevant; they are a means, not an end. Public opinion is not being allowed.” This confirms the strategy of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who started the ideological change 11 years ago. Shah had said, “Give up your weapons and join the mainstream and fight for justice through the constitutional path.” The government strengthened the security forces, intensified operations, connected the public with roads-schools-mobiles. Naxalites’ land shrunk, they had to leave the core areas. Today people are choosing development and considering Naxalism as an obstacle. Anant’s statement is proof of this change.
