Maoists’ ‘mystery doctor’ Rafiq emerges from shadows through surrendered cadres
HYDERABAD: Little was known outside security files about the so-called Maoist “mystery doctor”, Dr Rafiq alias Mandip, an MBBS-qualified doctor originally from Punjab who worked for years in Dandakaranya. Details about him have begun to surface only recently through accounts by surrendered cadres.
According to surrendered Maoist M Venkatraju alias Chandar alias CNN Chandu of Jana Natya Mandali/Chetana Natya Manch, Rafiq was the only formally trained doctor to have joined the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and to have served for years in remote agency areas.
Chandu said Rafiq treated both Maoist cadres and Adivasis, authored detailed medical manuals on bullet injuries, malaria, snake bites and wartime trauma care, and trained local youth as paramedics. “He was revered by cadres, militia members and Adivasis alike for his medical services for many years in Dandakaranya,” he told TOI.
‘Remains at large’
Anti-Naxal intelligence officials confirmed Rafiq’s identity and said he moved out of Dandakaranya to Jharkhand in 2016 and remains at large. In 2013, based on confessions of arrested cadres, police had described him as a “mystery doctor” capable of performing surgeries and heading the Dandakaranya medical team.
In 2018, police also received information about “Rinki, wife of MBBS Dr Rafiq”, who was said to have treated senior Maoist leader Prashant Bose, officials said.
Chandu said Rafiq trained cadres and locals in first aid, stitching sutures after gunshot injuries and removing bullets. Recalling one incident, he said a Maoist suffered a gunshot wound with the bullet lodged just centimetres from the heart. Working with minimal resources, Rafiq removed it. “He could reach that close to the heart,” Chandu said.
Built medical network
While security agencies tracked weapons and movement, Rafiq quietly built medical capacity, Chandu said. Each dalam had at least one trained medical aide. Several underground medics, often referred to as “doctors” despite lacking formal qualifications, were trained under his system. Among them were Ravi, a lab technician who later died in an encounter, and Champa, who surrendered along with Ashanna. The structure ensured continuity even after Rafiq left Dandakaranya.
Another lesser-known aspect of his work was documentation of ‘jadi-buthi’, traditional herbal medicine derived from forest plants. Knowledge passed on by Vaddes (pujaris) among Adivasis was incorporated into Maoist medical manuals, according to surrendered cadres.
With surrenders increasing and counter-insurgency operations intensifying, Jharkhand is being described by officials as a relatively safe haven. It is from there that Rafiq is believed to be operating, largely untouched by recent operations.
