Now, Greyhounds gun for Praja Pratighatana

Now, Greyhounds gun for Praja Pratighatana
Monday September 25 2006 10:00 IST

KHAMMAM: Buoyed by their successful offensive against the Maoists, the Greyhounds now seem to be going after CPI (ML) Praja Pratighatana, in the vast forest tracts of the district.

The recent encounter in the forest near Paloncha, in which three guerrillas were killed, indicates a plan of action aimed at completely eliminating the Praja Prathighatana, which is just beginning to gain ground among the trade unions.

Among those killed were IFTU-affiliated auto workers union of Hyderabad president A Moses.

BACKGROUND: CPI ML (Praja Prathighatana) was formed in 1994 as a splinter group by those who were against the policies of CPI (ML) Prathighatana.

A second rung leader Chalamanna led the movement supported by women’s leaders like Radhakka (wife of Chandra Pulla Reddy, an active member of Prathighatana group).

Later, the group split again with Radhakka forming a separate group, ‘Godavari Loya Prathighatana’, which later split up and one group led by one Mohan emerged stronger, which commanded at least ten dalams in Khammam, Warangal and Karimnagar districts.

This group recently made attempts to float a legal organisation on the lines of CPI (ML) New Democracy and the recent meeting at Paloancha was aimed at discussing the modalities of a trade union movement by the unorganised labourers.

Greyhounds team found papers of agenda littered all over the area.

“There is no doubt that the police are targeting the Praja Prathighatana cadre and are aiming at nipping the movement in the bud. Though the extent of their operations may not match that of the Maoists, we cannot brush them aside,” said a senior police officer.

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