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From
Tehelka Magazine, Vol 9, Issue 18, Dated 05 May 2012 |
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‘The state’s goals do not match those of the tribals’
BD Sharma, Former SC/ST Commissioner
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BD Sharma
Photo: Shailendra Pandey |
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You have worked in Naxal areas for more than 40 years. Is the ideology of the Maoists changing and becoming more opportunistic?
You cannot generalise the whole Maoist chain this way. Even in a state, different groups belonging to the same party act differently according to the local situation.
Government officials working in Maoist stronghold districts feel they obstruct the very development they are asking for. Do you agree?
With government-led development, most resources were captured by the administration, ultimately displacing and marginalising the tribals. An Adivasi believes in his local area. But the principle of eminent domain has been overturned and all resources have gone to the government.
In material terms, even in terms of freedom from fear of force, ‘liberated’ areas of Maoists seem no different from that of government managed areas. What do you think is the key difference?
In my report to the President, I mentioned an incident where I asked people about the difference after the Maoists came on the scene. Their reply was they were no longer harassed by government officials. The problem is that the tribals like to manage things on their own and see the government as an intruder who tries to measure development on its scale, which doesn’t match with theirs. Their whole idea of development is quite different.
The Maoists have demanded that all security forces be withdrawn and police be sent back to its barracks. The State always says that the Maoists should lay down their arms before any talks. Would there ever be any solution?
Only if everyone is honest. The government asks the rebels to lay down arms before talks. Why don’t they first talk to those who are without arms?
What are the key areas the government needs to address?
The exploitation of tribals should stop immediately. Development should happen according to local conditions.
Which demands do you think are negotiable?
The Maoists have demanded that all ‘fake’ cases should be taken back. After 15 years of doing the rounds of courts, you are told that the case was false. This should stop.
Prakhar Jain is a Correspondent with Tehelka.
prakhar@tehelka.com
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