People’s Guerrilla Army
(PGA) is a recent addition to the leftwing extremist, Naxalite, movement
in India. Launched on December 2, 2000, by the People’s War Group (PWG),
its purported objective is to counter the security forces offensive
against Naxalites. In its first phase, the outift is reported to have
started separate branches in parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, North Telengana
(Andhra Pradesh) and in the tribal belt of Dandkaranya which include parts
of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa.
It is headed by the PWG
General Secretary, 'Comrade' Ganapati and comprises platoons, special
action teams, guerrilla squads, area protection groups and village
protection groups. PGA reportedly plans to induct women in a major way
into the outfit, accounting for one-third of its membership. Besides it
aims to induce dalits (backward classes) and tribals into the
extremist movement.
Reportedly formed on the
pattern of the New People’s Party of Philippines and the People’s
Liberation Army of Peru, PGA aims to build up a strong network in the
country. The outfit plans include developing techniques ' to counter the
attacks by the armed forces in a scientific manner' build communication
networks, strengthen its political and organisational network, set up
guerrilla units in other areas and develop itself as a regular army of the
PWG.
