‘Balanced approach’ is the best way forward

Union Minister for Home Affairs Rajnath Singh has done the right thing by not rushing towards the negotiating table to hold talks with the Maoists, while still committing his Government to an overall “balanced” approach in fighting left-wing extremism. There is no scope for compromises and concessions with those who do not abide by the Constitution and seek to subvert the country's democratically elected Governments. The state must come down with an iron fist on those who loot and torture, maim and murder innocent civilians to push forth their own interests and agendas. However, a firm counter-insurgency policy does not mean that there should be no space for reconciliation. Maoists who agree to lay down their guns and function within the framework of the Republic should be welcomed back into the fold. They should also be free to join the mainstream political process, as has been the case with the Maoists in Nepal. But for such a reconciliation process to be successful, it is imperative that the state first establish full control. Or else, if the Maoists come to the table with the upper hand, the entire process will be subverted to hold the Government hostage. Islamabad's experience with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan must serve as a warning in this case. Against this backdrop, Mr Singh's focus on strengthening counter-terrorism operations in the immediate future is welcome. During his Friday meeting with the Chief Secretaries, police chiefs and heads of paramilitary forces of 10 Maoist-affected States — Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — he promised more money and men for the counter-terror forces. He also assured support from the Centre and better coordination between the Union and State Governments. Hopefully, this will have an immediate and visible impact on the fight against Red terror.

Critics of the Government, especially Maoist sympathisers, claiming that such a ‘heavy-handed' policy will do little to solve the problem of discontent and resistance in the long run, should take comfort in the fact that Mr Singh has assured development in backward areas and promised land-ownership to the tribals. Additionally, he has also talked of a publicity campaign aimed at disillusioned youth who are used as cannon fodder by the Maoists. Viewed together, this is a holistic counter-insurgency campaign that attacks the Maoist threat at all levels. But, important as these initiatives are, they can only be implemented, and implemented effectively, if the Maoists shun their violent ways. For example, there is no point in the Government ordering the construction of new roads, schools and clinics if the Maoists are going to blow them up anyway. Similarly, if the ultras continue with their attacks on security personnel, the state has no reason to re-build the bridges the former have wilfully burnt.