10 months back, when the focus was on terrorism from across the borders, this blog had a post that claimed that the bigger threat to the nation is from the Maoists. I have never been afflicated by "I said so" syndrome and it is double worse when the issue has such severe repurcussions like Maoism. I really wish my prophesies turned out to be incorrect, but I am afraid it is not so.
Today's Times of India has come out with the theoretical moorings of the current Maoist movement based on the Charu Mazumdar line.
The Government appears to be totally confused as to how to tackle the Maoist. And the NGO's and Activists have mixed up the issue so nicely that any attack against the Maoist is seen as an attack against the poor tribals. This absurdity has to go. The Maoists are resorting to violence, terrorism, killing, forced tax collection, and are fighting a war against the nation. They are running a parallel government in nearly 1/3rd districts of India (see map above). This has to be tackled strongly with the full powers at the disposal of the state, as they are not only an internal threat, but an external threat, for they have logistical support from China, Nepal, Bangladesh and of course Pakistan. This a tactical war on the country, which is bleeding us. The Government is appearing hapless which doesnt augur well for the country. Once you lose the legitimate and moral authority of the Government, the country will transcend to anarchy and chaos.
The tribals are at best supporting actors in this. They are caught between the Government and the Maoist. It is true they have genuine grievances, they have been dispossessed of land and deprived of their livelihood by industrialists encroaching their domain. But they are too simple to fight against the government using guns and bombs. I have had personal experience with tribals in Attapady. The Maoists are comprised of educated unemployed group, who have been indoctrinated. Most of them are well read and are angry at the atrocities done by the State. The tribals are simpletons. They have only obeyed others in the past and need a benefactor. The State has failed to provide support to them. They look upon Maoist either as someone who can protect them, or who they think are fighting their enemies (the industrialists) or they are providing logistical support to the Maoist out of fear. Either way, they have been won over by the Maoists.
The Government has to isolate the two. Once tribals understand that it is to their benefit to support the government, and they will have protection of their life and property from the Government, they will switch sides. This has to be done through an intense tribal development program. If that means stopping mining and industrialization in their homeland, so be it. That will send the right signal. And a special police force sensitive to the tribal needs, ably supported by a judicial system that shall dispose of cases pertaining to tribal grievances can go a long way in assuaging their feelings. And finally, they should be made part of any decision making pertaining to development in their area. It is sad but true that many tribals loose their moorings when development takes place and they get meagre compensation in return. Cut from their land and forest, they drift to the cities where they end up as the worst of the under privileged.
Simulataneously, the Government has to tackle the Maoist with all their might. State police and CRPF do not have the capability to handle counter insurgency operations or anti-guerilla warfare. Our police have become very soft over the years. Most cannot even run 100 metres in 12 seconds nor can they hit a barn door while shooting. The State needs crack Counter Insurgency battalions, armed with modern equipments, information system, and knowledge of the terrain to win the war. If these battalions have to be created out of our army, so be it. Let them be deputed for this special job. The role of the army is to defend the nation. And we need political consensus and a single bloody mindedness to crush this threat. Finally, the activists and the NGO's who support the Maoists have to be tackled at an intellectual level. Their arguments have to be countered logically and with facts, and not through trying to shut them up. Though I dont approve of the collateral damage that resulted in hundreds of thousands of Tamilians being dispossessed, the LTTE was totally neutralized by the Srilankan army. The whole of South Asia will be a safer place because of that in the future. And guess, who gave the training and tactical support to the Srilankar army during their final assault? The Indian Army!!!
