Buddhadeb's Stand on the Maoists
09 Nov, 2009 · 2999
Souvik Chatterji highlights the failings of the West Bengal government in handling the Maoist menace
A few days ago, the West Bengal Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya decided to release a woman who had been arrested for her involvement in Maoist activities, in return for the release of Atindranath Dutta, a police officer. The decision of the CM was criticized by a significant number of people.
Firstly, did the Maoists deserve this soft treatment when they themselves had declined to negotiate? The recent action of the Maoists was in retaliation to the arrest of 14 tribal women by the West Bengal police. They abducted and held Atindranath Dutta captive for three days, following which the CM agreed to release the women on humanitarian grounds.
The reaction of the West Bengal government towards the Maoists however, appears strange. Given the Home Minister, P Chidambaram’s recent statements concerning the growing Maoist threat in India, the West Bengal government’s soft stand demonstrated antagonistic action. Besides, the central government was not consulted before making the decision.
Amidst the criticism, the CPI (M) General Secretary, Prakash Karat backed the stance of the West Bengal Chief Minister that the exchange did not constitute a soft stand on the part of the ruling government. In his interview with the Indian Express on 26 October 2009, Karat stated that the people who had been released were not Maoists, but only supporters of the Maoist movement in West Bengal.
Pointing to the cross-border support for Maoist activities, the Home Minister has categorically stated that Maoists across the country have acquired weapons from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal. Additionally, in one of his recent interviews, he described the Maoist movement as the greatest internal security threat to the country. However, he did not specify whether the Maoists were also being funded by the neighbouring countries in addition to being provided arms and ammunition.
In view of the potential consequences of the government’s decision, certain issues need mention. Firstly, with this action, the Maoists have got the signal that whenever any of their prominent members is arrested, abducting police officers and government officials, is certain to yield results. The government has clearly displayed its inability to withstand pressure.
Secondly, the state government has been unsuccessful in blocking the cross-border smuggling of arms and ammunition from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal, which continues unabated. Neither does the state government have the human resources to check this illegal flow, nor does it seem inclined to ask the central government for additional security officers for the purpose. Lastly, the arrest of Chatradhar Mahato has not been of any help either.
Further, the state government has failed to address the issues raised during the Lalgarh operation in May-June 2009. The state government could have worked in coordination with the Centre to create Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in West Midnapore area, which would have created significant employment opportunities for the unemployed youth. Additionally, the huge reserve of unskilled labourers could also have been absorbed by the SEZs, which in turn could have encouraged investors. A number of private enterprises could also have been approached to provide electricity in the villages where the lack of electric power is an important issue.
However, till date, the development of transport facilities, including building more roads and railway tracks has not been addressed at all. The state could have employed unskilled workers in road-building projects through private-public ventures, as is the case in other states. Similarly, ‘Build, Operate and Transfer’ (BOT) projects could also have been undertaken in the region. In the past, foreign companies were seen to be inclined towards BOT projects as they did not require the companies to own land themselves. Once the projects were over and the invested money had been recovered through tolls, they could leave the development schemes to be overseen and maintained by the respective governments.
Finally, the vast areas under forest cover can be used to attract tourists into the region which will contribute to the development of the state. In this direction, the cooperation of the Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee, can be sought as she is keen on working to turn Digha and North Bengal into free tourist zones. For example, tourist places like Lava, Lolegaon, and Rishyap in North Bengal have developed in the last 10 years like Darjeeling in North India which provided immense employment opportunities to the unemployed youth. Until then these places had largely remained unknown to tourists across the country.
If the government of West Bengal seeks cooperation from the Centre, adopts more firm security measures and engages earnestly in development activities, the Maoist movement will gradually die out in due course of time.
Firstly, did the Maoists deserve this soft treatment when they themselves had declined to negotiate? The recent action of the Maoists was in retaliation to the arrest of 14 tribal women by the West Bengal police. They abducted and held Atindranath Dutta captive for three days, following which the CM agreed to release the women on humanitarian grounds.
The reaction of the West Bengal government towards the Maoists however, appears strange. Given the Home Minister, P Chidambaram’s recent statements concerning the growing Maoist threat in India, the West Bengal government’s soft stand demonstrated antagonistic action. Besides, the central government was not consulted before making the decision.
Amidst the criticism, the CPI (M) General Secretary, Prakash Karat backed the stance of the West Bengal Chief Minister that the exchange did not constitute a soft stand on the part of the ruling government. In his interview with the Indian Express on 26 October 2009, Karat stated that the people who had been released were not Maoists, but only supporters of the Maoist movement in West Bengal.
Pointing to the cross-border support for Maoist activities, the Home Minister has categorically stated that Maoists across the country have acquired weapons from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal. Additionally, in one of his recent interviews, he described the Maoist movement as the greatest internal security threat to the country. However, he did not specify whether the Maoists were also being funded by the neighbouring countries in addition to being provided arms and ammunition.
In view of the potential consequences of the government’s decision, certain issues need mention. Firstly, with this action, the Maoists have got the signal that whenever any of their prominent members is arrested, abducting police officers and government officials, is certain to yield results. The government has clearly displayed its inability to withstand pressure.
Secondly, the state government has been unsuccessful in blocking the cross-border smuggling of arms and ammunition from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal, which continues unabated. Neither does the state government have the human resources to check this illegal flow, nor does it seem inclined to ask the central government for additional security officers for the purpose. Lastly, the arrest of Chatradhar Mahato has not been of any help either.
Further, the state government has failed to address the issues raised during the Lalgarh operation in May-June 2009. The state government could have worked in coordination with the Centre to create Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in West Midnapore area, which would have created significant employment opportunities for the unemployed youth. Additionally, the huge reserve of unskilled labourers could also have been absorbed by the SEZs, which in turn could have encouraged investors. A number of private enterprises could also have been approached to provide electricity in the villages where the lack of electric power is an important issue.
However, till date, the development of transport facilities, including building more roads and railway tracks has not been addressed at all. The state could have employed unskilled workers in road-building projects through private-public ventures, as is the case in other states. Similarly, ‘Build, Operate and Transfer’ (BOT) projects could also have been undertaken in the region. In the past, foreign companies were seen to be inclined towards BOT projects as they did not require the companies to own land themselves. Once the projects were over and the invested money had been recovered through tolls, they could leave the development schemes to be overseen and maintained by the respective governments.
Finally, the vast areas under forest cover can be used to attract tourists into the region which will contribute to the development of the state. In this direction, the cooperation of the Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee, can be sought as she is keen on working to turn Digha and North Bengal into free tourist zones. For example, tourist places like Lava, Lolegaon, and Rishyap in North Bengal have developed in the last 10 years like Darjeeling in North India which provided immense employment opportunities to the unemployed youth. Until then these places had largely remained unknown to tourists across the country.
If the government of West Bengal seeks cooperation from the Centre, adopts more firm security measures and engages earnestly in development activities, the Maoist movement will gradually die out in due course of time.
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