Last week, India suffered one of its biggest tragedies in recent years.75 CRPF jawans and one police head constable was killed in an ambush laid by the fighting Maoist guerillas in Dantewada district, Chhattisgarh. This was the biggest attack on forces by Maoists so far. The scene of the attack and that of the coffins lined up covered in Tricolour and flowers was absolutely shocking. The blood stained war in the forests of Eastern India, may come to a turning point through this event. The so-called high power meeting held in the capital next day, has talked about, aerial attack over Maoist hideouts.
But a number of questions arise here. Who will win in this war at last? How far the ruling class will be able to suppress this insurgency. And what happened to the ‘Operation Green hunt’? There was a tremendous increase in the number of casualties at both sides after this operation started. Does anybody tried to understand the real problem.
The remote areas of central and Eastern India, now called the ‘Red corridor’ is an entirely neglected area for decades. None of the government machinery had reached these remote villages, lying midst dense forest. And this wide neglect must have forced the tribal’s to take arms. This area is rich in mineral deposits. Iron ore and Bauxite is mined at large scale. Many new deposits were found in these forests and it made the place a haven of corporate sector. Many sources say that the tribal’s were forced to vacate their native villages for many new mines. Large areas of land were taken by corporate companies for their capitalist motives. There was evidence that many politicians are having shares in these ventures. So, the joint efforts of corporate and politicians, with their money and political power, forced the tribal’s to give away their traditional culture and values, which eventually lead them to armed struggle.
It was in 2004, Prime minister, Dr.Manmohan singh declared ‘Maoism as the biggest threat’. The following years witnessed a growth in Maoist power. Increase in number of attacks, and taking over the control of a large area (Maoists now controls 83 districts, out of 220 they operate) which turned the scene into a fully fledged war. Last year, the centre started ‘Operation Greenhunt’. Even home minister, P.Chidambaram, denies the existence of such an operation, there was a mighty increase in the forces for anti-naxal operations. The forces started fight against Maoist hideouts. The civilian force, ‘Salwa judum’, worsened the situation by raiding villages and killing the tribal’s. There were many reports of rape by security personals and ‘Salwa judum’. Then the Maoists started their hunt, mainly targeting the security personals. A good number of attacks followed, along with kidnapping, abduction, train hijack, blowing railway tracks, etc., converting the insurgency to a war.
There is a serious mistake on the part of government in handling the problem. Government has sent forces without sufficient preparation. The paramilitary forces are fighting at extremely adverse conditions. There is no sufficient knowledge of the areas which was neglected so far. They were not specially trained in jungle warfare. There was no sufficient weapon, proper arrangements for living or proper communication and intelligence facilities. Camps were mainly makeshift which made it vulnerable for attacks. Maoists had a good advantage over the forces, that they know the fighting grounds very clear and were trained in Jungle warfare. They also had good communication and intelligence links spread through the fellow villagers. CRPF is carrying out a tough task. Who is responsible for sending the troops to such a condition, which cannot be won easily? Capitalist motives are ruling above all these. There linking with the ruling class and beurocracy had worsened the situation. Poor people and their sufferings is not at all a matter of concern for them. Both the sides, Forces and Naxals have become the victims of the interest of the corporatism.
Naxal activity cannot be tolerated any more. It is one of the biggest threats to the country today. India needs immediate relief from this. This is one of the mighty barriers to pass on the path to development. Unless there is a serious move towards this problem, it cannot be stopped. After last week’s attack, there was a big cry for total war against Naxalites. Many suggested the involvement of Army and Air force in the operation, which they denied telling defence mechanism cannot be used against own citizens. Why can’t we think of any other solution? Can’t we have a peaceful process? There is no issue which cannot be solved through bilateral talks. First find the roots of the problem which arise this anti-government activities. Let services be sent instead of bullets. Settle the matter peacefully. Make the tribal’s friends; else they will turn Maoist. Otherwise the war will continue, without winners, but only losers.
