NGOs supporting Maoists under scanner in Jharkhand

RANCHI - The Jharkhand government has put a large number of voluntary organisations in in the state under the scanner for their alleged soft corner for Maoists or for promoting illegal activities of the Leftist rebels.

Government sources told IANS that a letter was sent early this month to the administrations of Maoist-hit districts to keep track of some NGOs involved in illegal activities.

“There are reports that a large number of NGOs is involved in illegal activities and are having a soft corner for Maoists,” a source said.

“Some NGOs have direct links with Maoists. Many openly come out in support of the guerrillas and participate in agitations in the name of protests against police repression to help the Maoists,” the source added.

Even police officials admit it. “We are keeping a close track on activities of some NGOs who hit the roads to protest police operations in support of Maoists,” a senior police official said.

The state government regularly tries to scrutinise the NGOs. Six years ago, more than 300 NGOs were found fake and some of them were found having links with Maoists.

But the police find it difficult to take action against them. “We cannot take action without having sufficient evidence,” another official said.