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The Naxal group Peoples War have lost some of their supporters. Hundreds of adivasis in Orissa's Rayagada district, who once protected the Peoples War Group, have virtually declared war on them.
They have decided its time to get rid of the Naxal presence in their area and have formed the Kui Shanti Sena to do so.
"We are against the Naxalites who are exploiting and looting the tribals. They are not revolutionaries. We can have peace only if we drive them away," said Dakoo Majhi, Chairman, Kui Shanti Sena.
These adivasis, once loyal Naxal supporters, made police operations in this area difficult. But the attitude has been changing ever since Peoples War activists targeted some better off adivasis, killed them and destroyed their property.
"I'm scared. They have sent us a letter threatening to shoot me if I don't hand over my land. We are three families with only 6 acres of land," said Johan Junaka, adivasi victim.
Armed volunteers of the Kui Shanti Sena have been on the hunt for Naxalites. Stung by the offensive, the Vashdhara Regional Committee of People's War accuse the Kui Shanti Sena of being a police front and say they will target Shanti Sena leader Dakoo Majhi. However, their threats have been dismissed by the Sena.
"We are not scared of death. The people as such are very angry because they have attacked two adivasis in the past and if any one of us is killed the people will turn really very violent," maintained Tangda Dibakar Hanumant, Kui Shakti Sena.
In the last few months, the police
say over 50 activists and supporters of the People's War have surrendered
- something that the People's War denies. But it is clear that the People's
War is in deep trouble because the poor who justify their existence have
not only disowned them but have declared war against them.
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