Indian Maoists to step up 'war' against big companies

NEW DELHI, Friday (AFP) - India's Maoist rebels vowed to intensify their "war" against multinational companies, accusing them of plundering resources and driving people off their lands, reports said.

The Maoists planned to attack companies in mineral-rich and other states, media reports quoted Maoist leaders as saying.

India's Maoists have popular bases in Jharkand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and several other of the country's 29 states.

"The war" against multinational and other companies "will now be taken to a higher stage," the banned outfit's central committee spokesman Azad, who uses one name, was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.

The Maoists cited as possible targets South Korea's POSCO and Indian firms Tata, Essar-Ruia and Reliance, and said they aimed to create a "red tornado" by turning sympathisers into "action-oriented squads."

Big companies are setting up operations in India and forcing tribal and other people from their land, The Hindustan Times quoted the Maoists as saying.

"The escalation of violence by the Maoists to the next level is needed to tackle state-sponsored violence," said the group's second-in-command Pravin.