Author: Pradip Kumar Maitra
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: May 10, 2006
After terrorising the participants of Salwa
Judam (peace campaign) in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, Naxalites of the CPI
(Maoist) faction have threatened peace march activists in Gadchiroli district
with dire consequences. In April, intellectuals, journalists, NG0s, social
and political activists had a taken out a three-week peace march on the lines
of Salwa Judam in Chhattisgarh to boost the morale of tribals living in Naxal-hit
Gadchiroli district.
In the last few days, Maoist rebels distributed
pamphlets in the interiors of Gadchiroli in which they have warned villagers
to keep away from such anti-Naxalite campaigns. They have taken strong exception
to the peace march and termed it as part of the state-sponsored 'repressive
campaign' against tribals in the region. State committee secretary of the
CPI (Maoist) Chandrakant had even questioned the credibility of Suresh Dwadeshiwar,
the main organiser of the march, and said that his writings never reflected
the plight of tribals. "Otherwise he could have launched a campaign for
the betterment of tribals in those areas where Naxalites are not working,"
the Maoist leader had pointed out.
Chandrakant also alleged that the entire march
was sponsored with the connivance of outside elements and the state machinery
on the lines of the Salwa Judam movement in Chhattisgarh to scuttle the on-going
tribal uprising in border districts.
Owing to the threats, fear psychosis prevailed
in Gadchiroli district particularly among those villagers who participated
in the peace march. Superintendent of police, Gadchiroli district, Shirish
Jain admitted that such pamphlets and posters were found in some interior
areas. "It is an act of desperation by the Naxalites who are isolated
from the people for their senseless violence in recent past. Such threats
are measures to restore their domination in areas where they have lost ground."
He added that all tribals, particularly those who participated in the march,
would be given adequate security cover.
Maoists had kidnapped and killed 15 tribals
from Bastar region of Chhattisgarh in the last fortnight. The victims were
part of the Salwa Judam movement.
