Cannot deny that there are a lot of valid points in there. The problem we see here is that the paramilitary forces are by and large recruits from the same region or closeby. These are people who have lived through this horror and are in many cases prejudiced. While the Indian state doesnot condone these actions, the prejudice coupled with horrible working conditions and constant threat (squads of paramilitary forces are regularly attacked by small armies numbering 200-500 Naxalites and massacred) and the mental agony of watching bodies of butchered colleagues coming in will add up to these kind of incidents. I donot condone it but can recognize the frustration that may have led to this kind of action.
What one doesnot see here and what is horrifyingly getting clear is that the Naxalites are using young recruits to not only add numbers but gain mute support of their parents. Additionally one of their major sources of income seems to be pornography made using the women from the tribal areas.
In the end there needs to be a political solution to this, but I dont see one unless the rebels drop arms. ANd the tribals will continue to suffer.
Dear Irfan,
I will break down your reply into points:
1. Violence is the way to deal with Maoists: I do not condone violence but Maoists have to be dealt by paramilitary. Let me tell you why ? The Government has repeatedly asked them to shun violence and come for talks still they persist with violence. As late as last week the Chief Minister of my state asked them to give up guns and come for talks. But they do not. Maoists have built a cotorie of sorts where the top leaders indulge in kidnappings, ransoms to sustain their clout. They recruit young, impressionable kids to carry their objectives. Maoism has lost its purpose. Leave alone Democracy as means to find solutions they do not have any objectives. They fund their campaigns by getting money from mining companies who carry business in their area. They dictate the local tribals , cower them down and carry on senseless killings. Maoists are anti -development
2. The Indian paramilatry force are ill equipped in terms of training and mental conditioning. That is why innocent tribals fall victims. Just a couple of weeks ago some Jawans of the paramilatry went on strike because of their working conditions in the jungles. The postings are regarded as punsihments. Blame the Indian adminstratrs for these
3. The state politicians are just being themselves - politicians. They not only play with the emotions of the tribals but also the paramiltary forces. My chief minister never gave a clear cut order on hunting down Maosits. As a result the paramilitaries get frustated. Compare this with 1971 when Naxalism was nipped in the bud by anohter Chief minister in a couple of months. Also The late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister created Grey Hound force that wiped out Maoism from North Andra Pradesh. Fighting Maoism needs political will. Unfortunately that is absent now
4. The plight of the tribals - You know we have reservations for tribals. The tribes are called Scheduled tribes because constituion guarantees them reservation in Governent jobs. This has actually benefitted a lot of tribals by uplifting their economic conditions. On the ground level if Maosits allow development schemes to flourish in tribal areas then it can benefit people. Also setting up steel plants, manufacturing industries can benefit tribals too,
5. Preservation of local culiture - I am not sure but in the Forest Act of our constituin the right to live in forests, ownership of lands is guranateed for tribals. Please google Niyamgiri Hills. It is because of world wide protests and protect the tribals of Orissa a multinational behemoth owned by a billionaire was stopped.
But Irfan, you known the theory of survival of the fittest.
Globalisation will inevitably lead to the extinction of tribal culture. They will assimilate into the mainstram and lose their culture. And this is not just with tribals. India has hundreds of thousands of customs, culture and languages. You think all will survive. Economics will dominate over evrything. I even think that someday my mother langugae Bengali will be lost.!!!Globalisation is a reality. No law will be sufficient to stop its onslaught on local customs amd traditions
Dear both
These got to be the star posts of the month. This is the kind of material that brought me into this forum about 2 years ago.
You pretty much answered my following questions, re funding and functioning.
I agree so much that with the passage of time, our identities will be lost in time and its inevitable like it has happened to so many much bigger civilisations. The evolution of our languages, our living and our culture are constantly changing. Having said that a more amicable solution would be far more desirable. Being different is no crime, its like our fingers that are part of a hand that have their individuality but they add to the force.
I hear you and I respect your reasons for the use of violent force against the Naxalites. like yourself I also dont condone the violence but I also bow my head to the stark reality of ends justify the means.
You both are very articulate and have put your point across very well and in a best possible manner. I also asked my self that why I was praying for the safety of an FC convey that was leaving for Loralai in Balochistan when the news of 5 labourers killed at the hands of the Baloch Nationalists was very fresh. The irony was that these labourers used to work in an outlawed/ dangerous coal mine that had been ordered to close by the provincial government but Jamal Marri a local chieftain (with sympathies to the Baloch insurgents) had it opened and had ordered his faithful followers to work there despite the danger. These poor chaps were visiting the city and happened to be at a place frequented by floating labour and miners and was stuck by the BLA in the name of the provincial autonomy.
One of the leaders of this insurgents, Nawab Akber Bugti himself had been governor of the province and had his party leaders in the government for decades but that still didnt warm him in anyway to the state and despite him being part of the government he still chose to blame state for the plight of his people. Hence like Naxalites BLA decided that the rights of Bughtis and Marris were best served by blowing up infrastructures and killing teachers and traders. In our case we have decided that the way to win peace in Baluchistan is through development and protecting the people from the reprisals of the terrorists who dont want to support their cause. Our current engagement in war on terror is hampering our efforts and the American anxiety over potential benefit to China (and possibility Russia) due to a cheaper and effective corridor to the Indian ocean is not helping either and is no conspiracy theory, greater Balochistan forms the part of the American NeoCon doctrine for this part of the world.
India doesnt have our problems, and this area doesnt border with another country to worry about any foreign help, I think if India is successful in improving the quality of life of these people instead of burning their homes and fields then they themselves will loose the appetite for confrontation and descent will change into satisfaction.
Once again thanks to both for presenting the Indian angle.
