Top Maoist Sabyasachi floats own outfit!

Out of favour, top Red rebel Sabyasachi Panda seems to have been shown the door by the powerful Central Committee of the CPI (Maoist) and gone on to float his own unit.

 Issuing an audio message on Saturday, in which he has given enough hints that he is now on his own, Panda scotched reports of his imminent surrender saying these are all motivated.

One of the most-wanted Maoists of the State, his introduction of himself as secretary of Odisha Maovadi Party, not  secretary of the Odisha State Organising Committee of CPI (Maoist), has led to speculations that his association with the outlawed outfit is over.

Panda, who has fallen out with the Central Committee over his recent acts of violence, has earned rivals and enemies within the camp too. His spat with the Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee of CPI (Maoist) after the kidnapping of Italian tourists brought to the fore the cracks in the Maoist party.

 While he is reported to be considering surrender, Panda has now refuted it saying it is a rumour circulated by vested interests. In the audio message, he has clarified that he has no intention of giving himself up. However, floating a new outfit could prove tricky for Panda since his area of operation has shrunk considerably and he is enjoying control over limited pockets of Kandhamal, Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada.

 In the tape, Panda has also reiterated the release of Arati Majhi seeking punishment against the Central Para Military Forces’ personnel who had allegedly raped her. He also raked up the issue of Government not fulfilling its promise of freeing the tribal woman who was reportedly branded as a Maoist and arrested.

 The Maoist leader also demanded payment of ` 10-lakh compensation to each of the bereaved families of children killed in the anganwadi centre wall collapse in Nayagarh’s Ranpur block besides ` 3 lakh each for the injured children.   Interestingly, Panda’s wife Subhashree has been making political postures by taking up the issue in the district. In the tape, Panda said the Government has put the blame on anganwadi workers and shielding top officials who should be charged for the incident. He also demanded a hike in minimum wages for farm labourers and workers.