Maoists begin week-long protest against Sen conviction

RAIPUR - Security was heightened across Chhattisgarh as a ‘protest week’ called by Maoists against the conviction of rights activist Binayak Sen began Sunday, police said.

Anticipating attacks on civilians and government installations during the Jan 2-8 protest week, security has been stepped up in and around government buildings.

Also, policemen have been deployed in areas vulnerable to Maoists attack. The 40,000 sq km Bastar region has been a stronghold of the Maoists since late 1980s.

“Security is always up in the state and in Bastar. But forces have been asked to maintain extra vigil during the protest week as Maoists can strive for deadly attacks,” state Director General of Police Vishwaranjan told reporters.

The outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) has called the protest week against the Dec 24 court verdict giving life term to Binayak Sen, Maoist ideologue Narayan Sanyal and a Kolkata-based businessman Piyush Guha on sedition charges.