Even as the elite National Investigation Agency (NIA) continued its second day of investigation during a visit to the spot of carnage in Darbha Ghat of Chhattisgarh, it is suspected that some insider in the Congress might have tipped the Maoists about the movement of convoy on the same route which it had taken to go to Sukma for Parivartan rally.
While some say that it is just a speculation, well placed sources said its possibility cannot be ruled out. As the founder of Salwa Judum, slain tribal leader Mahindra Karma was well-versed with standard operating procedures on safety and presence of Maoists.
After surviving several attempts on his life, chances of Karma suggesting to take the same route on return seems remote.
Moreover, the CRPF had undertaken area domination exercise in the area a few hours before the convoy was to travel on the route. It is not possible that CRPF personnel would have overlooked the landmine planted at the spot.
This strengthens the claim of a mole who could have suggested that the convoy should return on the same route and at the same time informed the Maoists who took the advantage of about one hour time required to travel from Sukma to the spot of bloodbath. While preliminary investigation has blamed lack of a comprehensive security plan, the fact remains that all the senior leaders were aware of the violence unleashed by the Maoists in the region and could not have dared to ignore the safety procedure.
Although it is said that taking the shortest route to Jagdalpur could have coaxed the leaders to return on the same route, the sources said the leaders were well versed with Maoists’ strategy and somebody could have lured them into the trap.
There was police arrangement on the route through which the convoy was to return. The party workers had even put up gates on the way but suddenly the Congress leaders decided to return by the same route taking the police off guard, added the sources.
Claiming that mobilisation of so many cadres and taking position by Maoists in such a short time is not possible, the sources said it was a well-planned attack. Implanting 70 to 80 kgs of explosives and the system to explode it makes it quite clear that they were sure about the convoy returning on the same route, they added.
While the act is being seen as a retaliatory attack as the Maoists have suffered major setbacks in the past two or three months, it has exposed the failure of the Chhattisgarh Government to mobilise 30 Battalions of the security forces stationed in the state to combat Red terror.
Moreover, it has been found that security forces are maintaining a safe distance from the Maoists, allowing them to brace themselves up for bloody battle.
