Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil tells Sanjay Jog how he is going to tackle Naxalism in Maharashtra
Maharashtra is seeing a rise in Naxalism. Can you tell us what is the current position?
It is true that the Naxal problem is spreading from Tirupati to Pashupati. Naxal groups have been able to increase manpower, procure more funds and arms to carry out deadly attacks on police and security forces and cause serious damage to government property.
In Maharashtra, they are present in the border district of Gadchiroli, which has a dense forest cover. Despite odds and shortcomings in the administration, the state police have succeeded in restricting the problem to the district. It is not present in other districts. I am aware the police are functioning in a situation where their morale is quite low, especially due to attacks by the Naxalites.
The penetration of these groups is so rapid that villagers have no choice but to come under their sway. We know the villagers provide them valuable information, especially regarding police action. However, it is surprising that the police are unable to trace movements of Naxal groups or get tips about Naxal operations. Police forces come under attack, especially from human rights organisations, for anti-naxal operations. However, despite attacking police and security forces, the Naxalites go unpunished, as in that region it is they who decide the law and implement it.
Why is the problem so serious in Gadchiroli?
We must understand the conditions there. The district figures at the bottom of the human development index. Its literacy and per capita income levels are the lowest. There is no visible infrastructure development there and the people don't have basic amenities. There are classrooms, but without teachers. Due to terror, contractors don’t come forward to implement development works. The forest cover is to the extent of 78 per cent and due to the stringent Forest Act, there is limited scope for implementing development projects. So, in Gadchiroli, poverty is increasing.
It is ironic that concrete jungles have come up in various towns and cities. But in Gadchiroli, the villagers, who have protected the forest cover, are unable to enjoy the benefits of development. Due to several restrictions under the Forest Act, they have no forest plots to earn their livelihood.
Therefore, the state government feels that it is not merely a law and order issue but also a social and economic one. The government will deal firmly with the problem by expediting development and retaliating with modern arms and weapons.
There have been many attacks on police and security forces. What is the present state of affairs?
Operations carried out by the state police and the central forces have shown positive results. I want to thank Home Minister P Chidambaram for the deployment of four companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Unlike in other states, here there has been proper coordination between the state police and CRPF. In fact, the joint operations have led to a dip in the killing of police and security personnel. In 2009, 52 policemen were killed. In 2010, five policemen were killed in Naxal attacks, besides three personnel of the Indo Tibetan Force and two of CRPF. There has also been a sharp fall in the damage caused to government properties. However, I am aware that the government needs to do more to curb the problem.
There are reports of different companies paying protection money to the Naxalites. What is the reality?
It is true that companies engaged in the fields of tea, tendu leaves processing, bamboo, minerals and granite pay huge protection money to Naxal groups for hassle-free operations in Gadchiroli. There has been a sharp increase in the protection money collected by these groups. By doing this, the companies are helping the Naxal movement grow. Companies should spend money on development. Instead of opening schools and health facilities in urban areas, they should select Gadchiroli’s Naxal-hit areas.
Different parties and organisations have attacked the government for not doing much to contain the menace. What’s your view?
It is clear that the Naxal groups follow a policy of bullet and not ballot. In such a situation, I feel that politics should not affect anti-Naxal operations. I strongly appeal to the parties not to play politics but be ready for a united fight. However, there is another aspect. Various non-government organisations, human rights organisations and people believing in Naxalism are supplying the necessary missile for the growth of the movement. These people, who enjoy good rapport with the media and thinkers, especially in urban areas, are providing inputs for Naxalites. The time has come to pay attention on this aspect too.
Do you feel the Centre’s intervention needs to be increased?
The Naxal issue has become a national one and needs to be tackled jointly by the Centre and the states. I want to appeal to the central government to put in place an action plan with emphasis on joint action. Besides, the Centre should provide modern arms and weapons to states and allow use of unarmed vehicles in Naxal-hit areas. Moreover, the central government should relax the Forest Act to allow implementation of development projects.
How is the state government revising its strategy?
The home minister, during his recent visit to Gadchiroli, made certain important suggestions to make anti-Naxal operations more effective. He suggested that phone services be made available to villagers through towers installed in police stations, a local radio station be launched for flow of information and services provided to the security camps be improved. He also called upon the police to go out and engage the Naxalites. The government will make all efforts to implement these valuable suggestions.
Besides, the state government will expedite the implementation of the Rs 654-crore development package for the district. The district will shortly be made free from power cuts. A bridge over the Pranhita river that will join Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh at the border village of Sironcha has been proposed. The state has already received Rs 55 crore as two installments of the package.
Further, the government will try to revise the surrender policy. At present, the surrendered Naxalites are sent back to their villages or some other places. However, there is every chance of their rejoining the movement for want of work.
