Opinion The other front
This refers to the editorial Stay resolute (IE,April 8). The conclusion of the war against the Naxals cannot be simplified as the victory of the state and of the people....
This refers to the editorial Stay resolute (IE,April 8). The conclusion of the war against the Naxals cannot be simplified as the victory of the state and of the people. Often the war is between the state and the people or one section of deprived people,misled by fundamentalist Marxists. Sitting in the air-conditioned offices of the Central Secretariat,politicians in power and the bureaucratic top brass may ask why the Naxalites cant stand for elections and come to power to implement their agenda. A simple example of how democracy failed in Naxal-affected areas is the case of the Adivasis of Jharkhand. Elections threw up a chief minister,Madhu Koda,who within his short regime was accused of amassing Rs 4,000 crore by using his power to indulge in corruption mainly through giving mining rights in the forests of the state,which provided livelihoods to the Adivasis. If a fraction of the Rs 4,000 crore had been spent on their rehabilitation,the government would not have had a Naxal problem in Jharkhand.
N. Kunju
Apropos of Tactical toll (IE,April 7),the presence of such a large number of tribals amongst Maoist cadres cannot be attributed to fear alone. There is unappreciated anger amongst tribals on being deprived of their fair share in the development pie from the days of Nehruvian percolation theory being played upon today by the Maoist leadership and their interlocutors masquerading as activists,apologists and anthropologists. Besides reviewing the strategy to flush out Maoists,there is need to review the other side of the war on Maoism,winning back misled tribals through development activity. Its time to take stock of the effect of positive steps,if any,taken for better governance and administration,stemming the exploitation of tribals by the mine mafia.
Ajay Tyagi
Poor policy
I agree that the anti-Naxal strategy has proved to be a complete failure (Maoists butcher,IE,April 7). In the absence of adequate training in jungles,unfamiliarity with the danger zones was the main cause of the massacre. At the time of framing this policy did its makers not realise that sending ill-trained paramilitary troops in was a clear invitation to their death? Poor intelligence and lack of coordination between paramilitary forces and state police is another major cause.
Pradeep Sabharwal
Delhi
China fears
C. Raja Mohan in Chinese Takeaway (IE, April 7) rightly brings out the dilemma facing our external affairs minister in China. However,what we should now be thinking is: what exactly is there to celeberate in our diplomatic relations with China? For 60 years,the cost of such celeberations has always been borne by us. From Nehrus day we have bent over backwards,when it comes to Sino-Indian relations.
Lakshman
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