Maoist plan to kill PM Modi, Pune cops tell court

The letter said targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshows could be an effective strategy.

In a shocking revelation, the Pune Police have intercepted communication of Maoists planning a 'Rajiv Gandhi type' assassination of PM Narendra Modi by "targeting in roadshows".

The letter read, "We are thinking along the lines of another Rajiv Gandhi type incident. It sounds suicidal and there is a good chance that we might fail but we feel that the party PB/CC must deliberate over our proposal. Targeting his roadshows could be an effective strategy."

The reason stated was, "Modi led Hindu fascist regime is bulldozing its way into the lives of indigenous adivasis. In spite of big defeats like Bihar and West Bengal, Modi (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) has successfully established BJP govt in more than 15 states. If this pace continues then it would mean immense trouble for the party on all fronts. Greater suppression of dissent and more brutal form of Mission 2016 (OGH). Com. Kisan and few other senior comrades have proposed concrete steps to end Modi-raj."

The letter comes after five people, including a Dalit activist, a professor and a former Prime Minister's Rural Development Fellow, were arrested on Wednesday for "links" with the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).

The five were taken into custody in connection with 'Elgar Parishad', held in Pune, on December 31, 2017, a day ahead of Bhima-Koregaon caste riots in the district. 

Reacting to this Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam said: “This has been PM Modi’s old tactic… since when he was chief minister. Whenever his popularity declines, news of an assassination plot is planted. It should be probed how much truth is there this time.”

Maharashtra Home Ministry sources said Pune cops told court that two letter from Maoist organisations have been received, which threaten Maharashtra chief minister and his family members. Both letters mentioned the recent Gadchiroli encounters where several Maoists were gunned down. Investigation is on.

District government pleader Ujjawal Pawar told a Pune court about the information gathered from the material seized from the five arrested people and sought police custody of them who have been booked under provision of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Those arrested on Wednesday from different locations are Elgaar Parishad organiser Sudhir Dhawale, leader of Mumbai-based Republican Panthers Jati Antachi Chalwal, Delhi-based activist Rona Wilson of Committee for Release of Political Prisoners (CRPP), Nagpur lawyer Surendra Gadling of Indian Association of People's Lawyers (IAPL), Nagpur University professor Shoma Sen and Mahesh Raut a former Prime Minister's Rural Development (PMRD) fellow.

Pune Police also released the pictures of suspects involved in the death of a youth,  Rahul Fatangale during the Bhima Koregaon violence.