Inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, the rebels
have fought the government in several parts of India for more than four
decades, demanding land and jobs for landless farmers and the poor.
The insurgents — often targeting police, soldiers and
government officials whom they see as representatives of the state — have
tapped into anger among the rural poor over being left out of the country’s
economic gains.
Avinash, who uses one name, conveyed the rebel warning in
telephone calls to a local television news channel, Sadhna, and some
journalists based in Patna, the Bihar state capital.
There was no independent confirmation of Avinash’s claim.
P.K. Thakur, a top state police officer, said the government
had no information about police officer Abhay Yadav’s killing.
In a gunbattle with police lasting nearly 12 hours on
Sunday, the rebels killed seven police officer near Lakhisarai, a village 200 km
east of Patna, police said.
The rebel casualties were not known as they usually carry
away their dead comrades.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called the rebels India’s
biggest internal security threat. They are now present in 20 of India’s 28
states and have an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 fighters, according to the Home
Ministry.
