Ideological conflict with Maoists creating problems: Army chief

Asserting that Maoists were trying to take people back in time, the Indian Army chief, General Bipin Rawat said on Tuesday that the ideological conflict was creating problems vis-a-vis the Maoists in the country.

"Maoists have their own ideology. They don't believe in democracy. They are anti-development. They feel the government is taking away what was rightfully theirs," the General said while interacting with students from Chhattisgarh.

The students, on a tour to Delhi, had asked him about the Maoists in their state.

"The Maoists want to take the people back in time. India, as a country, cannot leave them behind while everyone is going ahead," Rawat said.

The Chief of Army Staff said that people could be allowed certain tribal rights "but we cannot allow them to have a primitive lifestyle".

On a query on the demands of leftists guerrillas, Rawat said: "The Maoists don't have very many demands. They only want (to continue with) their tribal way of life. Tribals don't own land, but have certain rights over it."

"They live in resources-rich areas, where the government goes to extract natural riches. In return, the government wants to provide them good education, health and other facilities. But they don't even allow the government to run schools there. They burn down school the government sets up. They need to send their kids to school," Rawat said.

"There is a conflict of ideology which is creating the problem," he said.

Asked how the Maoists manage to get weapons, the Army chief said: "Enough people are willing to sell you weapons if you have the money. So, either the Maoists buy from them or make their own guns. They can also make bombs. Anyone can learn to make bombs from videos available on the Internet."

--IANS

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