Govt labels Maoist party as terrorist group

[Coventina]

Source: Reuters

NEW DELHI (Reuters) – The government on Monday banned and formally labelled Maoist insurgents a terrorist group, hoping it would give security forces more enforcement powers after the rebels briefly created a "liberated zone" in West Bengal.

The banning of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) comes only a month after the Congress-led government won a resounding re-election without the need of support from communist parties that have opposed any ban.

"The home ministry has specifically banned the CPI Maoist as a militant group and has added it to the list of banned groups," said Onkar Kedia, a home ministry spokesman.

The move will allow authorities to arrest members of the Maoist party even if they have not been involved in rebel violence.



Read more: http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-40512420090622

[hadrons]

1. It would have been really interesting if it happened in China

[tom_paine]

2. Aren't you set to start colliding soon?

Sorry, just couldn't resist...

:hi:

[David__77]

3. There is no Maoist party in China.

There hasn't been since October 1976.

[David__77]

4. The Indian Maoists are very popular in eastern India.

The peasants and tribals of India have provided a lot of support for them. It's interesting what's going on there. Thousands of tribal Indian, armed with little more than bows and arrows and spears, are holding off the Indian army.

[NewAgeThinker]

5. no

That is incorrect

The are areas in India with people with little access to TV or any form of Media who don't know who the Maoists are.

So the Maoists came there giving them dreams of riches, no corruption, leadership and financial stability.

Some people just get suckered into it.
Just like the many who voted for Bush.

[David__77]

6. They do know who they are.

They drive out the hated police and local rulers. They promote policies to support Dalits and women's rights. They know them by their deeds.

[mojowork_n]

7. Interesting.

Where in India has this been happening? Are issues like water privatization, farm loans or sudden, pre-planned demise of some of those farmers involved?

Are the local movements related at all to what's gone on in Kerala for so long?

If you have any links or commentary, please post it.