Patna, July 15: Naxalites operating in Gaya and Shahabad region in central Bihar have a tough time ahead.

For, a rival group of the CPI (Maoist) has formed a new outfit — Kaimuranchal Vikas Morcha — to fight against their old comrades.

Sugreev Singh Khairwar was unanimously elected as the chairman of the morcha at its first meeting at Rohtas Fort last Monday.

The faction led by Khairwar distanced itself from the CPI (Maoist) after the snatching of bicycles and torches that were provided to the tribal youths by the district police.

The unemployed youths were appointed as guides for the tourists who visit the famous Rohtas Fort and other destinations in the hilly terrain of Rohtas and Kaimur districts. The bicycles were taken to Jharkhand and distributed among hardcore members, sources said.

The morcha decided to launch a protest against those opposed to development in tribal villages on the Kaimur plateau. The 25-member Kaimur Jan Sena, a military wing of the morcha, will fight against the move of the Naxalites to blow up government school buildings in districts in central Bihar.

The military wing has been equipped with the latest electronic gadgets and sophisticated weapons to give a befitting reply to its opponents. Sources said mostly tribal youths have been inducted in the new outfit.

“We are not opposed to development works being carried out by the government in the Maoist-hit areas. After all the schemes are meant for the uplift of the poor, who are deprived of even basic amenities,” said a member of the morcha.

“We are aware that the children of the poor are enrolled in government schools while the wards of the top leaders of the organisation study in convent schools,” he added. The morcha is the second splinter outfit in Bihar and Jharkhand.

Earlier, Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC) was formed under the leadership of Sagar Ganjhu in 2007. TPC has its members in Gaya, Aurangabad, Rohtas and Kaimur districts.

The Maoists killed Ganjhu at Sikid Nawatand in Jharkhand’s Latehar district. The TPC later spread its influence in the districts on the Bihar-Jharkhand border.

Meanwhile, the joint operation launched by the police in Rohtas, Aurangabad and Kaimur has posed a stiff challenge to the Maoists.

“The operation against the rebels will continue in the region,” said Rohtas superintendent of police Manu Maharaj.