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Naxalite attack condemned

Staff Correspondent

"We urge the Communist Party of India (Maoist) to desist from such atrocities"

NEW DELHI: Members of the Independent Citizens' Initiative, who released a report on Salwa Judum earlier this year, have condemned the naxalite attack on the Errabor camp in Dantewada district on July 17 in which more than 40 adivasis were killed or seriously injured.

"We feel that this attack was brutal, inhuman and unpardonable. We urge the Communist Party of India (Maoist) to desist from such atrocities," said members of the Initiative in a statement issued here.

The members of the Initiative include historian Ramachandra Guha, "Prabhat Khabar" editor Harivansh, social activist Farah Naqvi, former Secretary to the Union Government, Visakhapatnam EAS Sarma, Professor Nandini Sundar of Delhi University, and veteran journalist B.G. Verghese.

They said the attack had confirmed their belief that the Salwa Judum, rather than stopping violence, had escalated it.

"We equally condemn the atrocities committed by the Salwa Judum and security forces due to which many people have been killed without record, houses burnt and women raped. The Government is responsible for ensuring the safety of its citizens. Not only did it not do that in Errabor, but also by continuing with the Salwa Judum and forcing people to live in camps against their wishes, it is further endangering the lives of ordinary people. The people of Dantewara should not be used as fodder in this unfortunate game of retribution and retaliation being conducted by both sides," they said.

The members of the Initiative asserted that the only solution to the situation in Dantewada was to be found through democratic means, starting with a ceasefire, dialogue, enquiry into all acts of violence and punishment of the guilty.

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