MAOISTS ISSUE DEMANDS: 13 KEY DEMANDS

MAOISTS ISSUE DEMANDS: 13 KEY DEMANDS 20/03/2012

BHUBANESWAR/KANDHAMAL

SIDHARTHA SHANKAR MISHRA, BUREAU CHIEF, THESE DAYS, ODISHA




The abductors have released an audio tape in which they reportedly set Sunday evening as the deadline for the government to start negotiations over their demands for the release of the tourists, whom they identified as Bosusco Paolo and Claudio Colangelo.

Naveen appealed to the Maoists not to indulgence in violence ,” in orser to create congenial atmosphere for a discussions’ and seeked them to realese the Italian tourist as soon as possible taken hostage from Kandhamal and Ganjam border on march 14th. He further added, “We got news from the families the of the two Italians from the cities of Rome and Turin who are great pain, agony and anxiety and are deeply concerned. Hoping the Maoists will act in an humane manner.


The recent year’s Naxal/Maoists incidents have shown a different face of Maoisms, which is far away from its initial targets. They are not only limited to attacks and explosions but also actively involved in economic exploitation, paving way for the rich businessman and industrialist to exploit the land, people and their resources as much as they want.

It is obvious that the economic development of India is inextricably connected with the upliftment of the tribals and intensive exploitation of the forest resources. Apart from the fact that forests provide the main source for food, shelter and to some extent clothing, the tribal communities have had a symbolic relationship with the forest. The customs of the tribal life, including religions and social functions and folklore have been shaped and formed by forests. During times of distress and scarcity, tribals mainly rely on the forest produce for their sustenance, and in normal times their food comprises tuber, roots, fruits and leaves collected from the forest. Thus, tribal life is intimately connected, in one way or another with the forests, from their birth till death. Apart from land, forests have been the other major resource base for the tribals. They have lived in perfect harmony with forests for generations and their culture has revolved around this life style. As of now, they cultivate forest land and collect minor forest produce to eke out their livelihood, because they are the original inhabitants of the forest areas. The privileges enjoyed by the tribals are regulated by the forest policies of the state. But unfortunately, this policy was not operated in a manner, which can convince the tribals that reservation of forests was in the interest of tribals themselves. The over jealous attitude of some of the forest staff made them look upon the tribals as ‘unwarranted intruders’, opposed to forest protections and conservations. On the other hand, the tribals, who consider themselves to be the owners of all the forests, have come to feel that they have been deprived of their own habitat.


Ultimately, deforestation has brought about radical change in the social, economic and cultural life of the people in general and particularly, forced the tribals to lead a life of poverty and misery. Large scale compensatory afforestation plantation, soil conservation, efficient joint forest management by the locals and the department officials and other appropriate measures are required to be taken priority basis, besides awakening environment consciousness in public minds to solve the situation from worsening further.


An integrated and holistic approach to the development of Scheduled Tribes must be evolved, if we are to come to grips, comprehensively with the problem. Shortcomings and confusions in the forest policies and acts need to be thoroughly analysed and proper alterations and amendments brought about, taking into account the suggestions and consultations of the Scheduled Tribes. Motivated and dedicated officials and functionaries are in great need to carry forward measures, required for the development of Scheduled Tribe. Committed voluntary organizations, who earnestly carry forward the government’s message of rapid development of the Scheduled Tribes, should also be given due acknowledgement.

An integrated and holistic approach to the development of Scheduled Tribes must be evolved, if we are to come to grips, comprehensively with the problem. Shortcomings and confusions in the forest policies and acts need to be thoroughly analyzed and proper alterations and amendments brought about, taking into account the suggestions and consultations of the Scheduled Tribes. Motivated and dedicated officials and functionaries are in great need to carry forward measures, required for the development of Scheduled Tribe. Committed voluntary organizations, who earnestly carry forward the government’s message of rapid development of the Scheduled Tribes, should also be given due acknowledgement.

Bloodshed and violence should be avoided if we want an one pointed conclusion.

IMPORTANT 13 POINTS DEMANDS:
1. BAN ON TOURISTS VISITING TRIBAL AREAS, ARRESTS OF VIOLATERS.
2. HALT ON ‘ OPERATION GREEN HUNT ‘, WITHDRWAL OF SECURITY CAMPS FROM INTERIORS AREAS.
3. REVOCATION OF BAN ON CPI (MAOIST) AND ITS FRONTAL ORGANIXATION IN ODISHA.
4. REMUNERATATIVE PRICES TO DRANGBADI TURMERIC FARMERS.
5. ARRESTS OF POLICE SPS AND OTHER POLICE OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR TORTURE OF LALIT DEHURI, JUNESH BADARAITA, PRADEEP MAJHI AND RAPE OF ARATI MAJHI.
6. REALEASE F THOSE ARRETED IN NAYAGARH ARMORY ATTACK INCLUDING ASUTOSH,KAMLAKANTA SETHI,SUJATA KISORE JENA,PRATAPH AND MANJULATA.
7. NO SUBSEQUENT ARREST AND DETENTION IN JSILS OF PERSONS ACQUITTED BY COURTS,RELEASE OF THOSE AREADY ARRESTED INCLUDING SUBHSHREE DAS AND LALIT OF RAYAHADA.
8. REALEASE OF THOSE ARRESTED IN THE NAME OF MAOISTS IN RAYAGADA, GAJAPATI, KANDHAMAL, GANJAM, NAYAGARH, SAMBALPUR MAYURBANJ AND KENDIJAR DISTRICTS.
9. NO REVOCATION OF TRIBAL TATUS ACCORDED TO POLICE IN JODIA,KANDA DORA,ACHHA KUI,GAUDA KUI,KUMBHARA KUI,SAARA,ODIA KANDHA AND KHAIRA AND GRANT OF ST STATUS TO LEFT OUT COMMUNITIES.
10. HALT POLICE REPRESSION ON ANTO LAND AQUITION AGITATORS IN POSCO, VEDANTA AND KALINGA NAGAR AREAS.
11. REALEASE OF GANPATH PATRA, FORMER DARINBADI CHAIRMAN, HUSBAND OF SONEPUR SARPANCH,BROTHER OF NACHIKETA LINGA AND TWO SCHOOL STUDENTS, WITHDRAWAL OF ALL CASES REGISTERED AGAINST PEOPLE INVOVLED IN MANDRABAJU, NADINGPADAR, GUDARI AND NARAYABPATNA.
12. INVESTIGATION INTO INCODENTS OF FALSE STATEMENTS EXTRACTED IN COURTS THROUGH COERCION AND KEONJHAR POLICE KEEPING TRACK ON THE MOVEMENT OF SANGEET PRADHAN.
13. IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL DEMANDS THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONCEDED TO DURING THE RELEASE OF THE Malkangiri collector R VINEEL KRISHNA IN FEBRUARY,2011.