The Modi government is repeatedly claiming on eliminating Maoist menace by early next year. According to official estimate, as part of government’s prolonged anti-Maoist operations, 16,733 people have been arrested and 10,884 surrendered, while the Maoist-affected districts have drastically come down over the last few years. It is also claimed that only 400 armed cadre are left now, while bulk of the weaponry is recovered from Maoists. If these are the facts, then the Maoists are not a serious security threat that warrants the kind of government offensive that is going on now. Still the government’s approach to the issue is as if the Maoists are external enemies rather than citizens of India.
It is in this context that the CPI (Maoist)’s preparedness for a ceasefire and dialogue with the Chhattisgarh Government assumes significance. For facilitating it, the Maoists have asked for a halting of the war during the period of talks. However, the Chhattisgarh Dy Chief minister has said the BJP-led government will only go for talks if the Maoists do not put forward any conditions. It seems that this difference is resolvable in the process preceding the dialogue, if the reported willingness on both sides is genuine.
But the ruling regime should know that the brunt of the so-called anti-Maoist operations and the horrors therefrom are borne by the adivasis, the local villagers and innocent civilians who are also killed in the so called “encounters”. While the government is constitutionally bound to protect the democratic and human rights of people, it is high time on the part of CPI (Maoist) to realise the futility of the ‘path’ they are pursuing in the concrete conditions of today. And, it is also alienating the working and oppressed masses for the sake of whom they are fighting.
At this fascist juncture in our country, when even the hard-earned democratic rights of workers and oppressed through yesteryears’ struggle are being snatched away, and basic freedom of speech and expression are curtailed, the immediate task of all democratic and left organisations is to strive for the broadest anti-fascist unity. It is upto CPI (Maoist) to take stock of the situation and to realise that the long-term task of social revolution is inseparable from overcoming the fascist menace confronting the country today.
In this context, we appeal to both government and CPI ( Maoist) to make use of all avenues to enter into a dialogue for a truce to end the ongoing “encounters” and violence with immediate effect.
P J James
General Secretary
CPI (ML) Red Star
New Delhi
04.04.2025
