Jharkhand: Threatened by Naxals, Villagers in Gurabanda Fear to Return Home
When asked if the Naxals consider themselves as supporters of villagers, one of the locals said that 'They killed 65-70 people, how do we believe that they wouldn't kill us?'
Gurabanda, Sept. 23: After being coerced by Naxals to to leave their homes, villagers in Gurabanda fear to return due to persistant threats by the ultras.
Scores of farmers left their village after they were threatened, their houses were demolished and farmlands were captured by Naxals. "Naxals demolished my house in 2004, they even tried to kill me. To save my family I moved out of that village and now we do not have any permanent place to live in. We have our own farmland still we work on others," said a man displaced from his village. When asked if the Naxals consider themselves as supporters of villagers, one of the locals said that "They killed 65-70 people, how do we believe that they wouldn't kill us?" 'Urban Naxals': Who Are Being Referred to and Why is the Term Trending After Bhima Koregaon Raids?.
The police have however, refuted the presence of Naxals in the area. "There are no Naxal in that area, but if villagers are afraid they can come to us and we will help. The villagers can easily move back to their homes," the police said.
Even the Member of Parliament from the constituency, Bidyut Baran Mahato, said that the area was under red zone, but now the situation is better. He added that roads have been constructed in the area for betterment of transportation services.