HYDERABAD: Booming guns and skirmishes with the security forces in deep jungles are not the main sources of worry for Maoists at present.
It is the dreaded coronavirus that hangs over their heads like a sword of Damocles in the red corridor spread across Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha.
Though vector-borne chikungunya, dengue and malaria had claimed several lives of left-wing extremists operating from the jungles, the deadly effect of Covid-19 on top Maoist guns and cadres in the second wave was deep and stark.
Sources in Special Intelligence Branch, the anti-Naxalite intel wing, said several Maoist leaders who are Read AlsoSeek help if you have Covid: Cops to MaoistsHyderabad: For the first time, state police have appealed to Covid-19 affected Maoists to approach police for medical help.
The appeal has come from the police of Maoist affected Bhadradri Kothagudem district.
Senior police officials of Bhadradri-Kothagudem district have appealed to Covid-19Many left the cadre due to fear of contracting the virusConfirmation by the Maoist party of recent deaths of Telangana State Committee secretary Yapa Narayana alias Haribushan and party leader Siddaboina Sarakka alias Bharatakka due to Covid-19 is just the tip of the iceberg, say police.
Bhadradri Kothagudem district SP Sunil Dutt told TOI, “At least eight Maoist leaders and cadres have died of Covid-19 in the second wave,” he said.
Police said around 15-20 others have severe Covid-19 infections, while some Maoists left the cadre due to fear of contracting the virus.
Read AlsoTelangana Maoist leader Haribushan dies of Covid-induced heart attackWith reports emerging that CPI (Maoist) Telangana state secretary Yapa Narayana alias Haribushan succumbed to Covid-19 in the last couple of days, Bhadradri-Kothagudem police on Wednesday confirmed his death in an official statement.
However, the Maoists did not confirm the development.A senior officer of anti-Naxalite intelligence told TOI, “Couriers or militia members may have met Maoists in the jungles due to which the virus has transmitted.” Lack of access to medical treatment, consumption of expired food, snake bites and constant exposure to vagaries of nature also add to Maoists’ health woes.