Eastern Indian state bans communist rebel group

Until the ban, authorities in Orissa could only arrest members of the Communist Party of India (Maoists), also known as the Naxalites, who were suspected of taking part in violent attacks.

The government decided to enact the ban because of fears the rebels are planning to kill more police and government officials, whom they accuse of colluding with landlords and rich farmers. The insurgents demand land and jobs for poor farm workers.

“We have intelligence reports that the rebels are planning more violence. Therefore, the state Cabinet decided to ban the organization,” said Subhash Pani, the state chief secretary.

Pani also said the government will also offer rehabilitation packages to rebels who turn themselves in, including a grant of 30,000 rupees (US$660, euro550) each and bank loans of 200,000 rupees (US$4,395, euro3,660) to start small businesses.

The rebels, also known as Naxalites, are mainly active in six of India’s 28 states — Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Karnataka, Orissa and Chattisgarh. They claim to be inspired by Chinese revolutionary Mao Zedong.

The Orissa state government recently offered to hold talks with the rebels, who demanded the withdrawal of paramilitary forces from seven of the state’s 30 districts which they consider to be their strongholds before meeting with officials.

The government refused to withdraw the troops.

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