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It was Oct. 15th
early morning. The cadres were going about there morning chores. As usual,
simultaneously they were listening to the radio. Suddenly they heard news : "the
PW and the MCCI have merged to form the CPI(Maoist)". There was euphoria
throughout the camp. Instant celebrations began.
It is ironic, one of
the most backward people in the country trying to assimilate the most forward
ideology in the world. For over half a century of this so-called independence
the people in the Maad were completely ignored and lived practically in an
animal-state with no amenities; not even clothes. It was only once the Maoists
came, that they have developed and been brought to civilization. Not only that,
they are now seeking to develop themselves by acquiring modern knowledge and
Marxism. Of course, in 1910 the Maad Adivasis had risen in revolt against the
British exploiters in the "Mahan Bhoomkal" rebellion. Though brutally
crushed then for want of proper leadership, today they are rising once again. So
the importance of the formation of the CPI(Maoist) and the increased strength of
the people’s army, the PLGA, was not lost on them.
As soon as the
announcement was heard a huge rally and meeting was organised in the Indravati
Area on 19th Oct. 2004. Nearly 15,000 adivasi men, women and children turned out
in their holiday best along with their traditional musical instruments. Speakers
elaborated on the historic importance of the formation of the CPI(Maoist) and
explained how it was bound to bring a leap in the Indian revolution. Since the
name of both the Party and the army were new, slogans were repeated often to
familiarize the people with the new names. The presence of the divisional team
of the CNM in the rally electrified the atmosphere with their cultural
performances. The highlights of these performances were the songs and dances of
the Adivasi children aged between six and twelve.
In Daula area, as
soon as the announcement was heard, they put up posters and banners in the
villages and market place. Later when the call of the Central Committee
(Provisional) was conveyed to celebrate the formation, during the week of Nov.7
to 13th, massive programmes were planned throughout Maad division. Accordingly,
big rallies were held in the Daula, Kohkametta, Paralkot and Indravati areas. A
division level meeting was also held where people from all the areas converged
for the celebrations. In total 12 meetings were held in which about 50 thousand
people participated. Pamphlets were distributed and banners, posters were put up
in large numbers in all the villages, market places and nearby towns. All these
programmes ensured that the message of the campaign reached each corner of the
Maad division and also the nearby towns. The divisional CNM wrote a song for the
occasion and hundreds of CNM team members gave performances in these meetings.
They had red ribbons on which "CPI(Maoist) zindabad" and "PLGA
zindabad" was written, which conveyed the message in a poignant manner.
Numerous journalists
came and covered the events in a big way by giving photos, reports and
interviews in the front pages of the local papers, which helped convey the
message to the general masses of Chattisgarh.
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