Maoists run own PDS

Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
10th dec 2008
Maoists are running their own public distribution system (PDS) of sorts to reach out to the tribal population on the Andhra-Orissa border.
The left-wing extremists have been looting food grain and other essential commodities from PDS shops run by the government to supply to tribals. Police sees this move as a propaganda tactic and adds that Maoists won’t be able to operate their ‘PDS’ outlets for long.
“It is basically to prove that they are running things in the area,” said a senior police officer working on the antiNaxal front. “But from where would they get continuous supply of essential commodities?” Maoists are now distributing food grain and other commodities to villagers in Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and AndhraOrissa border. Meanwhile, police is worried over the growing Maoist influence on the Andhra-Orissa border particularly in Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam.
“It is true that their presence has increased consider ably in the recent past,” said a senior cop.
One reason is the decrease in combing operations at the border by the police after the Balimela reservoir attack.
“Taking advantage of this situation the Maoists and their militants are moving actively,” said the cop adding, “We will strike back against them and are doing the groundwork for that.”