Meanwhile, the policing system in the rural areas instead of improving, began to disappear. The state apparatus of governance, which includes the lower level bureaucracy, judiciary and other services like health, education and banking etc. began to retreat because of lack of security. Some of the personnel of this state apparatus compromised with the situation and began to rely on mafias, criminal syndicates and insurgent groups for protection.
The situation now has become alarming. More than 80 police personnel (Sub Inspectors) in Maharastra have not reported so far to their new place of postings because they happen to be in Maoist infested areas. Bank employees are refusing to move on postings to the areas in Red Corridor. Significantly, some individuals selected by the State Public Service Commission for appointment as DSPs in Jharkhand have preferred to remain unemployed rather than joining the police service because of the perceived threat to their lives owing to the Maoist insurgency.
the Prime Minister and the Home Minister must ponder over the question: whether or not it amounts to sedition when a politicians conscious political posturing becomes suicidal to the integrity of India and security of its law abiding citizens?
As a result, the writ of the state has ceased to operate in large parts of the Red Corridor and the Maoists are the new masters. No activity in this area can be conducted without being subjected to the taxation system of the Maoists.
This author is in possession of the latest directive of the Maoists issued by their Special Area Committee – SAC (Jharkhand & Bihar) on the rates of tax to be levied for developmental works by the government and private agencies. These are:- Un-metalled Road-10%; Village Road-7%; Bridge-5%; Check Dams & Canals-5%; (Note: Flexibility can be exercised for irrigation projects.); Big buildings-7%; Community Hall (Aanganwari)-7%; Railway Track Repair-5%; Railway Auctions-10%; Brick Kilns 50,000/- annually; Petrol Pump 25,000/- annually; Hill (1 x 1 Km) on lease 1,00,000/- annually; Bauxite Mines 6/- – 10/- per tonne; Coal siding 70,000/- annually; Sale of coal locally 12/- per tonne…
It can be seen that Mamta’s railway ministry is no less impacted by this tax regime of Maoists. It is therefore strange that she has picked up cudgels on behalf of the Maoists in demanding the cessation of ‘Operation Green Hunt’.
Similarly, the timing and tenor of Omar Abdullah’s ‘accession and merger’ rhetoric is rather queer and so is his demand for removal of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA).
The politicians and particularly the Chief Minister cannot be seen in adversarial relationship with the security forces. It has happened on earlier occasions as well, the most glaring being the stance of a Chief Minister during the IPKF induction in Tamil Nadu.
The politicians have the luxury to indulge in politicking and diatribes against the security forces because they are protected by the same elements in some form or the other. They must realise:
It’s the Soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us the freedom of the press.
It’s the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us the freedom of speech.
It’s the Soldier, not the politicians
That ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness…
It’s the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag.
(Author -Anonymous)
If the Indian Army had not saved Kashmir, the young Omar Abdullah would not have been a Chief Minister. If the IPKF had not gone to Sri Lanka, parts of Tamil Nadu would have become virtual LTTE colonies, and now if ‘Operation Green Hunt’ is called off, the biggest victim of the Maoists will be ‘Mamta led government’, in case if it assumes power following election next year.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister must ponder over the question: whether or not it amounts to sedition when a politician’s conscious political posturing becomes suicidal to the integrity of India and security of its law abiding citizens?
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