Indian extremists tapping Tigers for weapons

Left-wing extremists in India are spreading their presence to as many as 22 states with the Maoists even approaching banned groups like LTTE and ULFA for arms procurement, an intelligence report has claimed.

The report, submitted to the Union Home Ministry, said Maoists were aiming at "liberating" 35 per cent of country's territory by the end of next year, according to official sources. Thirty-nine Left-wing extremists groups are operating in the country with underground sympathisers and armed cadre active in 15 states while overground supporters exist in seven states, it said.

Throwing light on the funding and arms procurement policy of naxals, the report said the underground groups are in touch with certain militant groups like ULFA in Assam and LTTE in Sri Lanka for procurement of arms and explosives. The Maoists have no presence only in six states - Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Sikkim, Goa and Himachal Pradesh, the report said.

TOI