Opinion - Editorials   

For a two-track response to naxalism

The first meeting of the Standing Committee of Chief Ministers of naxalite-affected States has tried to come to grips with the enormity of the challenge posed by various naxalite or Maoist groups. That seven Chief Ministers plus the Governor of Bihar participated in the meet is itself significant progress in the effort to evolve a joint strategy to deal with what has become a major national problem. Significantly, most of the nine States involved seem to appreciate the need for a twin-track response — firmly tackling the security threat and simultaneously implementing socio-economic development programmes in the vulnerable areas. This is the only way any government can respond effectively to the naxalite challenge, and the gamut of socio-economic issues it has succeeded in bringing to the fore. The high-level New Delhi meeting became a political imperative following the failure in Andhra Pradesh — the State most deeply and extensively affected by naxalism — of the peace talks initiated by the Congress Government with the Maoists. That the process collapsed before substantive issues could be addressed points to the near-intractability of the problem. When hard-core naxalite groups break away from talks, they tend to return to their violent ways, as if there is a need to prove their destructive capabilities all over again. No Government can allow such violence and ruination of lives, property, livelihood, and welfare.

Two key decisions have been taken at the New Delhi conclave: (a) to set up joint task forces to combat naxalites and (b) to get the States to utilise the special component plan for the development of naxal-affected districts. The States have been asked to appoint a nodal officer to coordinate action against naxalites, and the Centre will assist them in raising India Reserve Battalions for more effective operations. The scheme to modernise the police forces in the States holds part of the key. However, no State can afford to approach naxalism as a mere law and order problem. Meaningful welfare and development programmes must be taken, as a socio-political priority, to the doorstep of the affected people, mostly tribal folk, in whose name the naxalites raise various issues. Only when States break out of the insensitive conventional mould and the bureaucratic mindset to transform the lives of people eking out a living in jungle and edge of forest under conditions of extreme deprivation, will they succeed in snapping the bond on which naxalism thrives. In fact, it is important not just for the nine States officially categorised as "naxalite affected," but also for others facing socio-economic unrest to take serious steps to meet basic needs, invest substantial resources in socio-economic development, and, towards this objective, decentralise governance and empower local bodies. If they succeed, there will be greatly reduced space for naxalism and other forms of extremism to grow.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

For a two-track response to naxalism
A way out of cable gridlock
Iran and the invention of a nuclear crisis
China, Japan, and a new vision of the U.N.
Some uncomfortable questions
A Prime Minister's road trip and after
Freedom of speech non-negotiable
Is the U.K. Government the obstacle?
Tackling naxalites
BJP matters
Musharraf vs. women
Investigate charge
Timely
Life term
Endless debate

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu