Like many others Dhanai Kisku, the general specretary of the Nagarik Suraksha Samiti (NSS) has been fighting terror in the Ghatshila sub-division of the district, the epicentre of Naxalite activities.

“I am worried about those who have lost the means to earn their livelihood. The menace has spread in certain areas of the sub-division but the fear of Naxalites is looming large. And unless the devils are not wiped out, my fight will continue,” said Kisku.

The NSS functionary has already lost a close relative in a rebel attack in 2004. It was on January 1, 2004, when rebels killed his son-in-law Sakla Soren at Gian under Ghurabanda police station. Soren was a police recruit and was returning home.

Rebels had also launched an armed attack on him in April 2003 at Kendua village under Dumaria police station, but he escaped unhurt.

“The rebels had started a poster campaign against me and others and we were prompted to set up an organisation to combat them. Then we formed the Nagarik Suraksha Samiti in 2003,” said Kisku.

At that time, the rebels had started taking levy from teachers, village-level contractors and also from the villagers who owned tractors or trucks. They did not even spare those who collected saal and kendu leaves for a living.

Kisku has got adequate security himself, including four armed bodyguards, with three having self-loading rifles and one carbine rifle.

“Unless I am secure, how can I run the network?” he said.