Development can defeat the Red Army
Maoist attacks must not deter the Indian State from improving the lives of tribals
Elections are always a tense affair in Chhattisgarh because of the presence of Maoists in parts of the state. On Tuesday, a Doordarshan cameraperson and two policemen were killed in a Maoist ambush in the tribal-dominated state’s Dantewada district. Reports said the cameraperson was in the area for election coverage (November 12 and 20) and heading for reporting on a new polling booth where people have not exercised their rights for the past 20 years. The special director general (naxal operations), DM Awasthi, however, claimed the attack was not related to the polls, but linked to the construction of roads, which the rebels were opposed to, in the Maoist-hit area.
The Red Army doesn’t want infrastructure in their strongholds because that would mean better tracking and easier movement of security personnel. Their opposition to elections is more ideological because the group doesn’t believe in the democratic process, which they consider a consolidation of power in the hands of upper caste and dominant class elites. So every time an election is announced, Maoists warn residents to desist from voting, leading to a tussle with the State machinery that is dutybound to organise elections even in the remotest areas of the state, and the country. The situation in Chhattisgarh is a bit more complicated because security forces are known to have indulged in several cases of extrajudicial excesses on tribals, an impoverished community that has been caught in the crossfire between the two armed groups for years.
Yet development is the only way out of the mess, if not for anyone else, but the tribals, who have been impoverished for years because of the negligence of the India state, and the lack of any strong political leadership who can give their demands a voice. While the deaths of the securitymen and journalist are distressing, the State must continue to push its development agenda in the Maoist strongholds, and also ensure that the forces don’t violate the standard operating procedures and human rights in this turf war with the Red Army. This is critical for their personal security, and also to restore trust between the State and tribals.