Activists working around the Bastar area have raised concerns over the condition of the adivasis and the violent treatment meted out to them by the Special Forces and the police machinery deployed to protect them. The opposition has come after the government’s decision to implement Operation Greenhunt to crush the rebels.

Addressing a press conference in the city noted Gandhian and activist Himanshu Kumar, who runs the Vanvasi Chetna Ashram in Dantewada, advocate Sudha Bhardwaj, member of the Chhattisgarh Mines Mazdoor Sangh, and Dr Binayak Sen’s lawyer pointed out that it is not the Naxals but the police that the tribals fear. This dangerous tilt of affiliation is what the country needs to fear if good governance is what the nation is aiming for, the activists said.

“Why are the naxals getting popular and our democratic government not,” Himanshu questioned. He said that former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh has sent a letter to him saying that the Home Minister has taken a serious note of the issue and has expressed his wish for open peace talks with anyone, anytime and without any pre-condition. Chidambaram has told Singh that “laying down of arms was not a pre condition for talks”. Singh also stressed the need for implementing Forest Rights Act, amending the Mining Regulation Act, Land Acquisition Act.

“Those who have run away into the jungles have been labeled Naxals by the government,” Himanshu said. The Supreme Court had passed an order to rehabilitate and compensate the tribals two years ago. “Not even one tribal has been compensated till now,” he added.

... contd.