There is no denying that Maoists are a great threat to the country’s security. But the Supreme Court has ordered a legal handling of the problem. It has asked the Chhattisgarh government to disband and disarm the 6500 special police officers(SPOs) engaged in counter-Maoist operations. The state government is in a tizzy. The apex court has blamed the menace on the policy of the state and has struck the centrally funded scheme to arm tribal youth to fight the Maoists. The Union government has been asked to desist from using any of its funds directly or indirectly supporting the recruitment of SPOs for the purpose. Chhattisgarh has recruited SPOs from the ranks of the Salwa Julum, a campaign launched by anti-Maoist tribals who enjoy the support of the state and the political class.
The verdict has been described as a setback to the war on Maoists. The Raman Singh government may seek a judicial review. The SC has ruled that SPOs endanger human rights of others in society especially as these youth are mostly illiterate. The Court has made it clear however that it will not condone the violence against the state done by Maoists. But the origin of the problem lies in the flawed economic policy of the state government. Privatisation has prevented the state from devoting adequate resources in building the capacity to control social unrest. The state government has stated that it did not support Salwa Julum which created counter-terror.The case of Binayak Sen has proved that in fighting Maoists, human rights can be violated. This does not mean however that the attack on Maoists should taper off. It is commonly known that the Maoist problem has sprung from exploitation and social backwardness but the rebels cannot solve the problem with guns. Peace talks are fine but they should give up violence to pave the way for such an initiative