Chattisgarh’s Sukma region witnessed a fierce Maoist attack on a CRPF platoon. 25 jawans were killed. The jawans were engaged in securing a road under construction in the Maoist stronghold. It is ample proof of the lack of intelligence among the security forces. Chattisgarh was formed in 2000 A.D and since then Maoists have killed 1100 people with 550 being killed in Sukma alone. In 2010, a Maoist strike killed 76 CRPF people. In 2013 there were 27 casualities in a similar attack including a number of prominent Congress leaders. All this should have underscored the need for tightening vigilance. But that unfortunately has not been achieved. As a result, security forces walk into veritable death traps in the region which is at a junction of Maoist operations in 3 states.
It is time the Centre and the States woke up to the urgent necessity of wiping out the Maoist menace. Admittedly, development is a key component of a drive to defeat Maoist propaganda. But the fact that Maoists have not been crushed proves that such a concerted move has not been mounted as yet. Building up roads is necessary to facilitate the setting up of hospitals, schools and other basic amenities for the local people. That also has to be backed up by effective security measures. However, the governments cannot turn a blind eye on continuing tribal discontent which foments Maoist agitation. Security forces and Maoist have been equally accused of violating human rights. Efforts should be speeded up to bring together Adivasi groups, civil society organisations and political parties working to a common end. At the same time intelligence and operational coordination for security forces should be significantly improved.
