The long dark tea time of the soul

The attack on errabore camp on 17th July has raised quiet a few questions. In our group, chhattisgarh-net, we discussed about it and reached a conclusion that mere condemnation of the incident is not enough. We have decided to petition all the state and national leaders to stop the forced settlements of adivasis in the camps. Especially so if the state is unable to provide them enough security, if it is unable to eradicate the fear among the inhabitants. This is a draft petition, that we are debating in the group.

Introduction

We are a group of concerned citizens of varied fields, members of the internet discussion group Chhattisgarh-net (http://www.cgnet.in) joined together by a dream of a better Chhattisgarh.

Recently our group had plenty of discussion on the current situation in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, vis-à-vis the Salwa Judum movement against the armed Maoists’ presence in that region. Members of our group have traveled extensively to Dantewada individually or under various banners, and provided documentary evidence of the ground level situation that led us to form this delegation to represent our views. We are especially concerned with the possibility of irreparable damage to adivasi lives and society, if the ongoing campaign continues. We are concerned with the fact that even after more than 15 months of the campaign, there are no signs of state regaining control, either on land or in people’s hearts. And the fact that Salwa Judum is achieving the exact opposite of what it was aimed for.

Origin and aims of Salwa Judum

The naxalites first came to Dantewada region in early eighties, presumably from neighboring Andhra Pradesh. During the course of next 20 years, they were able to establish near parallel governance in their sphere of control. Adivasis, who constitute a huge majority in this region, do not necessarily share the ideology of the naxalites, but they spoke in a language people can relate to because of their dispossession and deprivation. The process was facilitated by their strong-arm techniques, and ended up destabilizing traditional way of life in the adivasi village, and putting a virtual stop to all development activities in that region. Salwa Judum was started as a people’s movement against the naxalites. The aim, as proclaimed in banners across the roadsides of Dantewada region was to free Bastar of “naxaliye” once and for all. Towards that end, cadres of Salwa Judum went to the villages, educated people against the ills of naxalite presence and urged them to join the peace movement, Salwa Judum. They were successful in generating awareness to a large extent, within first couple of months. Things took a decisive turn after that. Although it might have started as a people’s movement, the logistics and direction was provided by the state administration. Very soon the peace movement turned into a state-managed show where instead of voluntary participation by poor adivasis, they were forced to join the movement. After the first few months, little attempt was made to explain the reasoning of Salwa Judum to the participants. The result was that the people who conceived and bred the idea of a peace movement against violence were entirely sidelined.

Displacement and living conditions of the camps

The Maoist commanders were never prepared to face a direct challenge to their authority by the very people they claimed to support. Their reaction was swift, and extremely violent towards those who had attended the Salwa Judum meetings. All these forces led to the evacuation of entire villages of its inhabitants. At least 50000 adivasis are living in 17 government designated camps, presumably as victims of war. Many individuals and organizations, as well as local, national and internation media, who visited the camps, bear testimony to the extremely poor living conditions of the inhabitants. Starvation and malnutrition has been reported from several camps near Dornapal. There are no proper medical facilities in the camps, as Dantewada was already suffering from huge shortage of doctors and medical professionals. Last year schools remained closed for most of the second half of the session, leading to a general promotion for all students. This year the schools have not opened till July end. These processes have made a huge dent in any little progress that the adivasis have achieved in past years.

Lack of security arrangement

The losses on human development apart, there is a perpetual fear among the residents of the camps. By the admission of collector Mr. KS Pisda, nearly 40% of positions among police forces are vacant in Dantewada region. Each roadside camp of villagers is near to a police station and/or crpf garrision. However these measures are grossly inadequate to fight coordinated attacks by naxals, supported by hundreds of their supporters. Having seen the naxals from very close quarters for last 20 years, the villagers have little faith in the existing security system provided for them. The attacks at Errabore, Gangalur and Dornapal camp, further heightens this feeling. It is a terrible thing to live in fear, fear of not only losing one’s life, but that of their children’s as well. A huge majority of adivasis actually want to return to their homes and fields.

Disillusionment among the adivasis

The general feeling among the people living in the camps is that they are needlessly getting crushed between two extremely powerful forces. The helplessness and inability to change their destiny compounds this misery. Since many of them were actually forced to live in the camps against their wishes, distrust over the state machinery is running deep into them. They are disillusioned by the entire process which has made them sitting ducks against an insurgency that they are not bothered about. Unless urgently checked, this resentment can take any dangerous form which can negate the very aims of Salwa Judum. Instead of arresting the growth of naxalism and neutralizing them, it might end up strengthening of those very forces with many more joining their cadres.

Ideas for a better future

• Deeply moved by the current plight of the villagers from our state, we are petitioning you to arrange for more security for the camps. The arrangement should be made in such a way that the people living in the camps bear testimony to this fact, live in an atmosphere of security, and restore their faith in the system. Please take immediate steps to check further incidents like the attack on Errabore relief camp.

• If the enhanced security is not impractical because of logistical or other reasons, it will be a bright idea to significantly reduce the number of camps. Let the villagers who want to return to their homes go back; nobody should be forced to leave their homes and property. The adivasis should not be paying such a large price in a war, where both the parties are fighting in their name.

• The remaining camps not only should be made more secure, but also proper arrangement of basic civic amenities must be made available for the residents. Under no circumstances, should their lives be disrupted. The future of all those children should be made secure.

Postscript

A journalist who traveled to Dantewada and places nearby very recently, summarized his experiences thus, “I met more than five hundred adivasis living in those camps, stayed there for more than a week, and still could not see a single smile. Those are five hundred, and many more, lost smiles for you.” Only by bringing back the lost smiles on those faces can we rightfully be able to win this war against the enemy.