Revealed: Maoists have an expansion plan

Outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoists' Karnataka state committee chief Chandrashekhar Gorebal, who was arrested recently by the Andhra Pradesh Police, has revealed details about their expansion plan.

Gorebal gave his confession on camera, and in the process defended Maoists' violent acts.

In the footage, which was aired by a private news channel, Gorebal said the Maoists were now attempting to spread around the Western Ghats in Karnataka.

He claimed that the Maoists had no intention to wage a war.

"We don't intend to wage a war, we want the atmosphere to be changed. We are pro-society and work in a democratic manner. We want people to be aware," Gorebal said, acknowledging that Maoists were facing problems like lack of cadre and weapons in the Western Ghats region.

"I am not sure of the exact numbers. The working cadres will know better. Maybe 20- 25 are full time. The problem is that not all are permanent members," he said.

"We might not have the capacity to provide weapons to all members," Gorebal added.

Earlier, on June 13, Andhra Pradesh Police had arrested Goreabal in Mahabubnagar district.

The police recovered an AK 47, Andhra Pradesh police uniforms, a GPS set, walkie-talkie, spare magazines, Maoist literature and a radio set from him. Goreabal is also a member of the Maoist military commission.

45-year-old Gorebal hails from Karnataka's Koppal District, holds a postgraduate degree in Economics, and was a lecturer in Sindhanur government college of Raichur district, Karnataka. He is said to have gone underground in 2004.