Separate NIA unit all set to probe funding pattern of Naxalites

Separate NIA unit all set to probe funding pattern of Naxalites(The Hindu)

Context

Huge amounts paid to fund education of Maoist leaders’ kin’ 

What has happened?

Following reports of Maoist leaders having amassed huge assets in property and cash, the Centre said a separate unit will be created in the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for investigating “important” cases of Left Wing Extremism

Multi agency group created

• Government has set up a multi-disciplinary group to initiate action to choke funding sources of Maoists and to seize assets of their leaders
• The group comprises officers from various central agencies and the State police departments
• It is headed by an additional secretary and has representatives from the Intelligence Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, NIA and the CBDT (Central Board of Direct Taxes) and the CBI, as also State intelligence departments and CID

Sources of Maoists funds

• The LWE movement in the country is financed through a large network of dubious activities, which include illegal levy collected from private contractors including those involved in execution of government works and schemes, mining contractors, transporters and owners of small and medium industries.
• Similarly, funds are said to be garnered through collections from illegal stone crushing and distribution of Maoist ideology papers.