An army without option

THEY are barely into their twenties, many of them teenagers. They are soldiers of a campaign being run by those out to end the Naxal reign in the dense forests of Abujmad in south Bastar. While many have willingly joined the campaign after a bad experience with Naxalites, many others have been forced into the violent business.

Ismail Khan, a resident of Birla village 6 km from Errabor, was on the run along with his family after incurring the wrath of Naxalites. 8216;8216;My father Jabbar Khan was into cattle and liquor business. We were flourishing. They Naxalites beat him up thrice and asked for Rs 40,000. We said we would arrange the money. Then Judum came to our area,8217;8217; Ismail says, adding, 8220;after Tuesday8217;s attack, they kidnapped my fiancee Kawasi Dule and killed her. We will take revenge.8217;8217;

8216;8216;They Naxalites have killed sarpanchs, pujaris and other tribal chieftains,8217;8217; says Kattam Rama of Errabor, who was among the injured. Clearly, many have personal scores to settle.

Tamaiya Soyam, 16, has been asked to check vehicles at the Judum check-post at Injaram. He keeps mum when asked why he joined Judum. Yogesh Kumar Danial, 22, who has been handling the check-post along with Tamaiya, comes to his rescue. 8216;8216;Judum is for driving out Naxals,8221; he parrots. VD