It’s not merely the inaccessible forests or the remote areas in the middle of Red corridor where security forces are waging a war against the Naxalites. The virtual world, too, is fast becoming a battleground with extremist literature being posted on Internet browsers. Sources in the security agencies say the Chhattisgarh Police website was hacked thrice by pro-Maoists attackers.

However, the state police — engaged as it is in a long and tough battle with the Naxalites — plans to concentrate on the ground level battle and doesn’t want to tackle its opponents in the virtual world as yet. In fact, the state police website has been taken off the Internet. “The police has decided to do away with the website and there are no future plans to reactivate it,” said a senior officer.

Added Chhattisgarh Director General of Police Vishwaranjan, “We should first deal with Naxalites on the ground level and push them back from areas where they have established their dominance. Maintaining a website is not our priority right now.” Sources say the Internet is being used as a powerful tool by Maoist sympathisers to disseminate their viewpoint and seek support for their cause.

“Several websites which are run by Naxalite sympathisers or with an open tilt towards Left wing extremism are on the watch list,” sources added. Intelligence sources say the security agencies have been monitoring the activities of Naxalite sympathisers, and other extremist groups, on the Internet, for many years now. However, action against these websites can be taken only after receiving a clearance from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. “A website is blocked only if it is found to be indulging in anti-India rhetoric or professing separatism,” sources confirmed.

... contd.