Probe attempts by naxals to create urban youth base: Home Ministry tells intelligence organisations

 Centre has asked intelligence agencies to probe attempts by naxals to create an urban base in colleges and universities in some big cities. The move came after a report claimed that naxals were trying to create a  base of young educated radicalised men and women in Telengana, Chandigarh and Kolkata by targetting students. 

  According to the report, in a recent meeting, the top naxal leaders have decided to create a 'second line of leadership' to keep the maoist movement alive. It was agreed that they should target and recruit people from educated class. In essence, they are looking to recruit 'Urban Naxals' to ensure stability and wider reach of their movement. The term 'Urban Naxal' has entered the public lexicon after police cracked down on many activists throughout the country for their alleged ‘Maoist links' which included a plot to kill PM Modi.

As per an intelligence report sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, naxals have created a network in 11 cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Ranchi, Nagpur, Pune, Vizag, Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai. They are trying to create a base in these cities through sympathisers.   

Naxals have suffered heavy losses in their tradition base areas due to constant anti-insurgency operations by security agencies and are looking for urban areas to expand their base.