It needs no debate that Naxalism is pure terrorism, and that it has to be fought collectively without narrow political considerations. Undisputedly, it is a national problem connected with country’s security, development and rights of the most neglected people, and while handling this issue we need to focus on the ground realities. It is very unfortunate that the Congress party is focusing more on the political gains than on solving the issue.
Naxals are the biggest threat to country’s internal security. More than 106 districts of nine states (Andhra Pradesh-16, Bihar- 22, Chhattisgarh- 16, Jharkhand- 21, Madhya Pradesh- 1, Maharashtra- 4, Odisha- 19, Uttar Pradesh-3 and West Bengal- 4) are in their grip. They have strong underground network and are capable of doing what they want. Although the anti-naxal operation has been going on for a long time and it has achieved some good breakthrough also, yet the final assault on naxals is still awaited, owing to poor inter-state coordination. The political patronage to such elements too is proving to be a big hurdle. The union government must ensure that when action is taken against these enemies in one state they do not cross the border at all.
The Chhattisgarh Government has done commendable development work in Vanvasi regions. In the areas where people could not afford even salt, the government provided them with adequate quantity of ration and salt at the cheapest rates. The Amrit Namak scheme launched by it has been the first most successful project in the state. People in Abujhmad area, which is infamous as Red Zone, now get adequate ration for the whole year. The region which did not have even kutcha roads, now has sufficient cemented roads, bridges, pulia, etc. Large scale development was carried out in the form of schools, hostels and health centres. But the naxals destroyed them. Their ruins can be seen even now. It shows the government machinery wants to do more but the naxalites do not allow.
What is needed at this moment is a comprehensive policy addressing all local requirements and ground realities. The party ruling at the national level has to show a bigger heart and it must not sabotage the entire operation for political gains. Development in such vulnerable regions is impossible if any of the national parties start eying at political gains. After a long gap the people have started trusting the government machinery. Any dent in that trust now will only strengthen the anti-national elements.
There is one more serious issue, which needs to be addressed decisively. The people proclaiming to be the saviour of human rights need to be reign in effectively. They never miss a chance to weaken the national fight against terror. We have to fight a war; and the war must be fought like a war. All the supply lines – funds and other logistic supports to these red sympathisers have to be cut off.
The irresponsible behaviour of some Congressmen has stunned many. Blaming the BJP at this moment will only weaken the fight. Before allowing its leaders to issue such baseless statements the Congress high command must set its own house in order. People are questioning the role of some state Congress leaders in May 25 incident. They are also asking about who was present in the rally and who was not, who came first, who came late and who survived and who got caught in the attack. The Congress also has to answer as to why its local leaders have been hobnobbing with the naxals to win the elections. Need of the hour is that a well-coordinated policy to combat naxalism must be evolved, since the problem is not restricted to Chhattisgarh alone. It is a National issue.
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