Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Ban on Maoists

The Centre’s decision to ban the CPI (Maoists), declaring it a terrorist organisation, is a step in the right direction. The violence unleashed by Maoists in Lalgarh is most reprehensible.

The Centre and the West Bengal government should sink their differences and take steps on a war footing to eliminate the naxal menace.

N.C. Sreedharan,

Kannur

The ban on the Maoists was overdue. They are responsible for killing innocent people and police personnel. They disrupt elections. They resort to civil war-like action against elected governments and lay siege to areas as they did in Lalgarh.

Gururajan Ramachandran,

Udhagamandalam

The observation by Prakash Karat, CPI (M) general secretary, that banning the Maoists is no solution and that they should be isolated politically points to the understanding of the ground realities. The Centre and the West Bengal government should initiate a dialogue with the Maoists to find a solution to poverty and other issues. A ban will prove counterproductive.

C.P. Velayudhan Nair,

Kochi

The Centre’s move equating political-extremist outfits to terrorist groups is misplaced. Let us not forget that marginalised groups are social by-products of mainstream thinking.

C.K. Raju,

West Medinipur

The violence in Lalgarh makes sad reading. The fact that Maoists have support among some sections shows that the latter have not reaped the fruits of development. The unrest in West Bengal cannot be brushed aside as a law and order problem.

Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee should help the State government and not look at Lalgarh as another opportunity to improve her political fortunes.

Karavadi Raghava Rao,

Vijayawada

The situation in Lalgarh is grim enough to attract the Centre’s attention as it is an assault on India’s sovereignty. Political parties should stop providing covert moral support to extremist elements. It is time the naxal-affected States took concerted action to eliminate the menace.

At the same time, a thorough study should be conducted into the reasons for the tribal unrest in Lalgarh. Extreme poverty, lack of livelihood opportunities, exploitation and the absence of proper healthcare and education seem to be some of the apparent reasons.

Suprakas Lahiri,

Hyderabad

The need of the hour is a comprehensive and inclusive economic package, acknowledging access to food, drinking water, healthcare and education as fundamental rights, which will redress the injustice unleashed on a section of people in Lalgarh, and prevent a further rise in extremism.

As is evident in many parts of the world, unbridled and indiscriminate military solutions cannot bring about sustainable peace and prosperity. Indeed, at times it can make the matter worse.

Sabyasachi Mitra,

Secunderabad

The Centre and the State government should together put down the Maoists with an iron hand. The ultras have been using the common people as human shields. Both internal and external terror threats need to be tackled in a concerted manner.

N.V. Subramania Iyer,

Kollam

The Maoists in Lalgarh have assumed the role of spokesperson for the tribals. The separation of the tribals from the mainstream has helped the naxalites.

One wonders why the West Bengal government acted late in cracking the whip on Maoists. Its delay in taking action allowed them to buy precious time. Unfortunately, all the major parties in West Bengal did nothing to help defuse the tensions.

Ganapathi Bhat,

Akola

Unfortunately, our governments have not concentrated on law and order. The VVIPs are provided foolproof security but the ordinary citizen is left to fend for himself. The governments’ priority should be to improve the police force by equipping it with the latest arms and more powers. Had they concentrated on improving policing, the naxals and other anti-nationals would not have gained ground.

M.V. Mukundhan,

Chennai

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