Giridih (Jharkhand) (IANS) : There will be no fireworks here on Diwali night Friday as residents are too scared to celebrate the festival because of the terror unleashed by Maoist rebels.
The killing of 18 civilians, including Anup Marandi, son of former Jharkhand chief minister Babulal Marandi, by Maoist rebels in Chilkhari village of Giridih district last month is still fresh in their minds.
“According to mythology, Diwali was celebrated when Ram returned to Ayodhya after killing Ravana who was considered evil. Here the scenario is different. The evil holds sway, so there is no reason to celebrate Diwali,” said Narayan Mahto, a resident of Chilkhari.
Maoist rebels have distributed leaflets threatening dire consequences if people continue to support the anti-Maoist movement. Giridih has witnessed two major killings in the last three years and some minor incidents.
In 2005, 15 civilians were massacred in Beluwaghati village of the same district by Maoist rebels.
“Why should we mark Diwali? Should we celebrate it to pay homage to those killed by Maoist rebels?” asked Ganesh Marandi, a resident of Beluwaghati.
“In Chilkhari and Beluwaghati, civilians were killed because they dared to fight against Maoist rebels who had openly challenged the security forces.”
In 2005, the rebels had attacked a home guard training centre situated in the heart of the city and looted 185 rifles and other weapons.
Former chief minister Marandi formed the Gramin Suraksha Samittee (GSS) and launched a campaign against the rebels. The voice of revolt irked the rebels, prompting them to unleash terror in the district.
“Marandi should stop such campaigns. Villagers are being made a scapegoat in the fight between Maoist rebels and Marandi. The former chief minister’s campaign against the rebels has claimed more than 50 lives,” said Shorai Mahto, a resident of Giridih.
But Marandi is firm in his resolve to fight the Maoist rebels.
“My fight against Maoists will continue. I have lost my son. But each villager who was killed are sons of the state and we cannot give up the fight against the rebels,” he said.
Sources, however, said Marandi had failed to get the support of the state government in his fight against Maoists. In Beluwaghati and Chilkhari, no security arrangement was made despite the Maoist threat. The rebels took advantage and butchered 18 people.
In Jharkhand, more than 1,000 people, including 645 civilians, have been killed in the last seven years. Maoist rebels are active in 18 of the 24 districts of the state.