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Salwa Judum disappearing: Chhattisgarh

Legal Correspondent

You cannot encourage common man by arming him to fight naxals, says CJI

We have taken action on NHRC recommendations: Chhattisgarh
State government fully backing the movement: petitioner’s counsel

New Delhi: The Chhattisgarh government on Thursday told the Supreme Court that the Salwa Judum (people’s army) was slowly disappearing in the State. It submitted that it had taken firm action on the findings of the National Human Rights Commission on the allegations of atrocities committed by the Salwa Judum against innocent people.

Senior counsel K.K. Venugopal, appearing for the State government, made this submission before a Bench comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice P. Sathasivam that was hearing a petition filed by Nandini Sundar and others highlighting the Salwa Judum’s atrocities.

On the directions of the apex court, the NHRC had probed the allegations and submitted its report making various recommendations to the State government. In its response, the Chhattisgarh government said it had ordered payment of compensation and undertaken rehabilitation measures. Residents of camps would be given rations and health protection.

Mr. Venugopal said FIRs (first information report) were registered wherever recommended. “The Salwa Judum is slowly disappearing and doesn’t exist.”

Senior counsel T.R. Andhyarujina, appearing for the petitioner, disagreed and pointed out that the Chief Minister recently justified the existence of the Salwa Judum and the State was fully supporting the movement.

When Mr. Venugopal said the naxal problem in the State was alarming and killings were taking place regularly, the CJI said “the State is bound to protect the citizens.” Counsel said “this is not a mere law and order problem.” He denied the charge that the Salwa Judum members were being given arms by the government.

However, the CJI asked counsel: “What then is the concept of Salwa Judum. How are they getting arms? Once you give arms it will be difficult to retrieve them and we are going to get disastrous consequences. If you continue with the arms, we may have to take a drastic position. We do not underestimate the enormity of the problem. But you cannot encourage common man by arming them to fight naxalites.”

The CJI said, “You [government] are getting enough funds from the Centre. You create employment opportunities in the naxal areas under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, provide infrastructure and education facilities in the area.”

The Bench granted four weeks to the petitioners to respond to the action-taken report and the State government to file additional affidavit on the extent of the naxal problem.

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