Hindustan Times ST (Jaipur)

GJM hired Maoists to train: Cops

- Press Trust of India letters@hindustant­imes.com

Singh said, “This is really inspiring for the girls. When we informed students about it, they were surprised. They are really happy after knowing strength and courage of a girl. With the help of Malala, we are conveying the importance of education very effectivel­y.”

A student of a government school Kareena Ahirwar said, “I want to be like Malala. I heard her name many times but I didn’t know much about her struggle. Now, I know everything about her.” Students Neelam Raikwar and Anjali Iklaneshwa­r said, “She has not only inspired us to continue our study but also motivated us to fight for others.”

The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) is preparing for a prolonged undergroun­d armed movement for a separate state and has hired Maoists from neighbouri­ng countries as mercenarie­s to train its cadres, according to senior West Bengal government officials.

“We have inputs from intelligen­ce agencies that Maoists from neighbouri­ng countries have been hired by the GJM. And it may target government properties and senior police and administra­tive officials so as to further aggravate the situation,” ADG (Law and order) Anuj Sharma said. The GJM leadership has, however, refuted as “completely baseless” the allegation­s that it was taking help from Maoists.

“These are completely baseless statements. These statements are being made to malign us and derail the democratic movement,” GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said.

A senior official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the GJM has hired 25-30 Maoists mercenarie­s to train its cadres.

“The GJM has a huge cache of arms and ammunition. They have stockpiled arms for the last few years. And we have intelligen­ce reports that they are preparing for undergroun­d armed movement,” said the official.

Another senior official said the government is “prepared for any situation”.

In the last 38 days of the shutdown, there has been several instances of attack on police stations and outposts.

Arms and ammunition were also looted, a trademark of Maoists movement. After receiving the intelligen­ce inputs, the state government has sent for several top IPS officers, including those who have experience in countering Maoists.

 ?? MUJEEB FARUQUI/HT ?? Students read a poster about Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai in Bhopal on Saturday.
MUJEEB FARUQUI/HT Students read a poster about Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai in Bhopal on Saturday.

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