Bhubaneswar, Jan. 13: Intelligence inputs suggest that the rift is widening between Maoist leaders of Odisha and neighbouring states, particularly Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.

With their differences becoming almost intractable, the possibility of a turf war breaking out in the Red territory is not being ruled out.

“Odisha leaders are beginning to resent the growing interference of rebel commanders from Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh in the state,” said a source.

Ego clashes among Maoists operating in eastern India are not uncommon, but things have become worse following the death of Kishan in an encounter in Bengal a few months ago.

Intelligence sources said Kishan, with his excellent organisational skills, had managed to sort out the differences between the warring leaders and succeeded in keeping them together.

“With his death, the adhesive that held the organisation in the eastern states together has gone. Now even smaller leaders are beginning to assert themselves,” said the source. He said that even within Odisha, the Maoist leadership was no longer united, with CPI(Maoist) state organising committee secretary Savyasachi Panda trying to corner all the glory, which was being resented by others.

However, the biggest threat to rebel unity at the moment seems to be the highhandedness of Maoist bosses from Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh who want to call the shots in Odisha as well. “While Ramakrishna, who heads the Odisha-Andhra special zonal committee, wants a bigger role for himself, the Chhattisgarh commanders are becoming very pushy. Besides, they have become too trigger-happy for the comfort of Odisha leaders,” said a source. The schism among the Maoists, however, is music to the ears of the state police who appear all set to accelerate their drive against the rebels by deploying additional forces in key districts such as Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabrangpur, Sambalpur and Sundergarh.

“We are also keeping a close watch on the situation in Balangir, where the rebels are trying hard to gain a foothold. Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj also remain on our radar,” said a police officer.

The time, according to senior police officials, is ripe to launch an all-out assault on the rebels.