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D. Reprisals against Naxalite deserters
Naxalites have been merciless when it comes to punishing members who desert
them. Four former Naxalites interviewed by Human Rights Watch said that after they
deserted Naxalites retaliated by killing members of their family, including children. 360
Tarrem Kosa, a former child dalam member, said, “What I thought was there’s no
point in asking them [when I could leave]. The only point is to die with them.” 361
When he eventually deserted and sought police protection, Naxalites punished his
family:
One year after I ran away, both my younger brothers (ages 8 and 12)
were killed. They beat my mother and broke her arm. They burned our
house and took all the things that were inside. 362
When Vikas Modhey, another former child dalam member deserted, his brother met
the same fate:
They killed my younger bother when I surrendered. He was 10 or 12
years old. They slit his throat. We had no parents. 363
When Subba Atish deserted, not only did Naxalites kill his family members but they
also killed members of their own jan militia who they thought were behind his
escape. Subba’s brother was brought before a jan adalat in January 2007 and
executed. He was first beaten and then axed to death. Within weeks, seven others
including two relatives—his sister’s husband and a cousin’s husband— had been
killed in retribution. All the eight were jan militia members. 364 Said Subba Atish, “I
thought they would kill me because I left [my dalam]. I never imagined that all these
people [friends and relatives] would be killed because of me.” 365
360 Human Rights Watch interviews with Tarrem Kosa, Vikas Modhey, Sushovan Banu, and Subba Atish (pseudonyms), former
Naxalites, other details withheld.
361 Human Rights Watch interview with Tarrem Kosa (pseudonym).
362 Ibid.
363 Human Rights Watch interview with Vikas Modhey (pseudonym).
364 Human Rights Watch interview with Subba Atish (pseudonym).
365 Ibid.
111
Human Rights Watch July 2008