Ranchi, Nov 11 (IANS) Maoist guerrillas have threatened to kill former chief minister Babulal Marandi for his campaign against the rebels and also eliminate the eyewitnesses to the Chilkhari village massacre in Giridih district of Jharkhand, according to the police.
“The Maoist rebels are moving from one village to another, asking people not to support Marandi’s campaign against them. They have threatened to kill the former chief minister as well as the eye-witnesses to the Chilkhari massacre,” police said.
Seven people, who were witness to the Oct 26 massacre, recorded their statements in the Giridih district court against the rebels. Moti Sao, one of the eyewitnesses, was given security after he said he was facing threats from the guerrillas.
At least 18 people, including Maranadi’s son, were killed and four others were injured in a Maoist attack in Chilkhari village, about 290 km from state capital Ranchi. The incident occurred during a cultural programme when heavily armed Maoist rebels fired indiscriminately on the gathering.
After the killing of his younger son, Anup, Marandi is staying in his village Kodaiband of the district.
Giridih is the home district of Marandi, who represents Koderma Lok Sabha constituency in parliament.
“The situation (in the area) is very alarming. Maoist rebels are threatening us not to join anti-Maoist movement launched by Marandi. The rebels have held meetings in 13 villages after Chilkhari incident,” said Ganpati, a resident of Beluwaghati village in Giridih district.
“Security has been beefed up in the area. The anti-Maoist operation has made the rebels desperate,” said a police officer involved in anti-Maoist operations.