Free from LWE a distant dream?

The Maoist rebels on Monday had killed 14 CRPF personnel, including two officers and injured several others in a retaliatory attack in Sukma district in Chhattisgarh.

This is reportedly the second attack on the force within ten days in the same area and took place in the dense forest regions in the Bastar area. The CRPF personnel had attacked and killed 15 Maoists on November 21. Chhattisgarh is one of the worst states affected by Left Wing Extremism and the attacks come as Chief Minister Raman Singh vowed to make the state “Naxal-free”. The naxals occupy Bastar and the nearby forest areas targeting attacks on the personnel frequently. The government efforts to curb the attacks have been bootless so far. There have been attacks in March and April that claimed the lives of 15 and 14 personnel respectively including Ministers who were set to run in elections. According to the reports, around 1922 people have lost their lives in the skirmishes making the constant attacks a major threat to the nation and an arduous challenge for the government. Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha are other worst affected states.

Even though the strength of the organization, in terms of manpower, arms and ammunition is deteriorating, the violent attacks like the incidents in the Sukma region are on a hike. Several naxals have surrendered in recent years reinforcing the fact. Around 1440 Maoists have put down their weapons between 2011 -2014. Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CGPCC) president, Bhupesh Baghel has made serious allegations against the state police for allegedly pressurizing the poor locals to surrender in the name of insurgents. The innocent tribals are forced into surrendering by the police to win media attention, praises and other benefits from the senior officials according to his claims. The police had claimed that two hardcore Maoists, Chaitram Salam and his wife Manjula surrendered; but later reports revealed that Manjula was a cook before being forced by the authorities.

People belonging to the lower strata and the downtrodden who are paid little attention often grow into these far left radical communists. The aborigines constitute much of the guerrilla group who fight for their rights. The government pledging the development and growth of the nation has not been able to do much for their upliftment or for raising their standard of living. It is the corrupt and fraudulent politicians, bureaucracy and the security personnel in charge who are responsible for aggravating the acts of terrorism. Instead of spending crores of money to ward off terrorism and to contain the threats posed by the naxals, the government should initiate the necessary steps to resolve the matter and to achieve the once promised “good days”.