
Jharkhand on alert for ‘attacks on security sites' after Maoists' bandh call to mark their leaders' killings
According to senior officials, the bandh is being called as part of a memorial campaign by Maoists to commemorate top leaders of the outfit who have were recently killed in encounters, such as General Secretary Basavaraju and Politburo member Vivek alias Karam.
Besides Jharkhand, the bandh is expected to be observed in Bihar, northern Chhattisgarh, Assam, and West Bengal.
According to a press statement issued by the CPI (Maoist)'s Eastern Regional Bureau (ERB), events are being organised in two phases — from June 11 to August 3 — in honour of its slain leaders and cadres.
Maoist leader Basavaraju was killed in a 60‑hour encounter with police and security forces in the Gundekot hills of Chhattisgarh on May 21.
IG (Operations) Michael Raj said, 'Intelligence indicates possible attacks on military camps around August 3. We are fully prepared. We're also alert to threats against railway tracks, roads, stations, bridges, police outposts, and other government establishments.'
As per police officials, the CPI (Maoist) is leveraging the memorial calls as part of a broader mobilisation effort, expected to include group meetings, public rallies, and a one‑day shutdown in Bihar, Jharkhand, north Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Assam.
Police officers are closely monitoring the situation and are on standby to secure sensitive spots and maintain public order across the state, officials said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Bombay High Court says ‘No' to contempt proceedings against CPI(M)
The Bombay High Court on Monday (August 4, 2025) refused to initiate suo motu contempt proceedings against the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for publicly criticising the court's recent observations while rejecting its plea to hold a protest in support of Gaza. On July 25, 2025, a Division Bench comprising Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad dismissed a petition filed by the CPI(M) challenging the Mumbai Police's decision to deny permission for a protest at Azad Maidan against the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The court observed that the Indian political organisations should prioritise domestic issues over international conflicts. The Bench pulled up the petitioners for focusing on matters outside the country and said, 'Our country has enough issues to deal with. We do not want anything like this. I am sorry to say that you are short-sighted. You are looking at Gaza and Palestine while neglecting what is happening here. Why don't you do something for your own country? Look at your own country. Be patriots. People say they are patriots, but this is not patriotism. Show patriotism for the citizens of our own country first,' the Bench remarked sharply during the hearing. Senior advocate Mihir Desai, appearing for the CPI(M), told the Bench that on June 13, 2025, his client sought permission from the Azad Maidan police to hold a peaceful protest in solidarity with Gaza, calling for a ceasefire. However, on June 17, the police denied the request, citing powers under Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Section 68 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951. Mr. Desai argued that political parties had historically raised important issues and organised health and education camps. The court noted that the CPI(M), being a registered political party, should ideally be engaging with local civic concerns. 'You are a registered party in India. Your party could have taken up issues such as garbage dumping, pollution, drainage, or flooding. Why are you not protesting on these issues? We are only giving examples. Instead, you want to protest over something happening thousands of miles away and showing concern for Palestine and Gaza,' the Bench observed. Following the court's observation, the CPI(M) released a press note on July 25, condemning the High Court's 'anti-constitutional' observations. It said, 'The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the observations of the Bombay High Court Bench while rejecting an application by the party to challenge the Mumbai Police's refusal to allow a protest action against the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.' The note further said, 'While doing so, the court went to the extent of calling into question the patriotism of the party. Ironically, the Bench appears to be unaware of either the provisions of the Constitution which enshrines the rights of a political party, or the history of our country and our people's solidarity with the Palestinians and their legitimate right to homeland. The observations smack of distinct political bias in line with the Central government.' On Monday (August 4, 2025), senior advocate S.M. Gorwadkar urged the court to take suo motu cognisance of the CPI(M)'s press note as criminal contempt. He argued that the language used by the party was an attempt to attribute motive to the judges and could erode public confidence in the judiciary. He cited previous cases, including the one involving advocate Prashant Bhushan, to support his argument and requested that notice be issued to the Advocate General. Justice Ghuge dismissed the suggestion and noted that the Bench chooses to ignore the press note and that the party has been saying that they have the right to criticise and condemn the court's order, calling it unconstitutional, 'that is their opinion', so let them do that.


The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
All eyes on CPI's Kottayam meet amid growing tensions within the LDF
Amid the growing concerns within the Communist Party of India (CPI) over a relentless push by the Kerala Congress (M) to expand its influence within the Left Democratic Front (LDF), all eyes are now on the upcoming CPI district conference at Vaikom, Kottayam. The three-day event will formally begin on August 8 with a Red Volunteer Parade. Organising committee president John V. Joseph will hoist the party flag, followed by a public meeting to be inaugurated by CPI State secretary Binoy Viswam. Revenue Minister K. Rajan will also address the gathering. The registration of delegates is scheduled to begin at 9.30 a.m. the following day. A total of 325 delegates elected from 11 area conferences across the district will participate. At 11 a.m., CPI national executive committee member P. Santosh Kumar, MP, will inaugurate the delegate session. CPI district secretary V.B. Binu will present the organisational report and financial statement. Agriculture Minister P. Prasad will inaugurate the party's birth centenary celebrations later that day. On August 10 afternoon, the district secretary will respond to discussions on the political and organisational reports. The conference will then elect delegates to the State conference and form the new district council, followed by the election of the new district secretary. As part of the conference, a women's meet will be held at Kottayam on Tuesday at 10 a.m. CPI national secretariat member Annie Raja will inaugurate the gathering. Local body elections The conference gains added political weight in light of reports that both the CPI and Kerala Congress (M) are eyeing a larger share of seats in the upcoming local body elections. The rising friction is expected to make seat-sharing talks within the LDF more contentious than ever. The CPI's Idukki district conference held last month had expressed strong reservations over what it termed a deliberate effort to sideline the party's role within the coalition. A working report presented at the Idukki conference pointed out that the Kerala Congress (M) has been steadily projecting itself as the second-largest constituent of the LDF, a position historically held by the CPI.


The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
CPI(M) activists convicted in Sadanandan attack case surrender before Thalassery Court
Eight Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] activists convicted in the case of attempting to murder RSS leader and current Rajya Sabha MP C. Sadanandan in 1994 surrendered before the Thalassery Additional District Sessions Court on Monday (August 4). They were later shifted to Kannur Central Jail. The surrender came after the Supreme Court upheld the trial court verdict sentencing them to seven years in prison. The accused surrendered nearly three decades after the attack. The incident has sparked controversy after K.K. Shailaja, MLA, attended a farewell event reportedly organised for the convicts at the CPI(M) Mattanur Pazhassi South Local Committee office before their surrender. Mr. Sadanandan was attacked on the night of January 25, 1994, in what became one of the first cases booked under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) in Kerala.