How many times does the hierarchy need to be reminded that the roots of the problem are politicosocio-economic and military solution is not the answer?

The Maoists are on the rampage again, upping the ante – using tonnes of explosives to blow up anti-mine vehicles and using mortars for the first time against hapless Central Police Organisation (CPOs). Concurrently there are media reports about rampant corruption in executing the public distribution system (PDS) in insurgency-affected areas.

A cross-section of those who matter would seek solace in a US Congressman attributing inactive Afghan nation building to lack of oversight and corruption. Then we cannot even be like China which simply executes those responsible for adulterated baby milk. Now that the Army has started doing jungle training in the region, some would be hoping the Maoists accelerate CPO killings, so that the Army can be handed over the problem.

The usual gradual ploy can well unfold—call the nearest Army unit for ‘assistance’ after/during a major Maoist attack, after which neither MoD nor Army will contest subsequent deployments. Then comes the question who is ‘assisting/supporting’ the Maoists? Surely not the Army one can say with confidence, even as Panetta gives evidence to Pakistan of their Army assisting Islamist militants. But in the case of India, is there a polity-Maoist nexus? While the CPI (Maoist) may have been formed by the Maoists’ Communist Centre in Bihar and the People’s War Group in South India joining hands, at what level do the CPI, the CPI(M), the CPI (ML) and the Maoists converge under the same communist ideology is a moot question that no one looks into. After all one can witness their sharing platforms on many occasions pan-India, during elections and even in Delhi as the hierarchy looks away – an euphemism for a thriving democracy.

You dare not lathi-charge the marauding Gujjars uprooting rail tracks or Tikait’s bullock carts forcing Delhi to a standstill but don’t mind tear gassing, baton charging, manhandling sleeping men, women and children around midnight in a tented enclosure. You dare not take action against Hurriyat’s Geelani and cohorts talking of balkanizing India for that would undermine democracy.

So, master Geelani now has a Facebook page for tourists alleging Kashmir was never a part of India and that India since 1947 has killed half a million people in Kashmir (1,00,000 in last 20 years), 10,000 have gone missing, 7,000 women have been dishonored, 2,700 mass graves have been discovered, 50,000 children have been orphaned, 35,000 women widowed and 15,000 women forced to live lives of half-widows and 1,465 Kashmiris are languishing in jails. Yet, no one dare raise a voice against this Mr Two Percent; a Libya-Pakistan international study has established 98 per cent of Kashmir population does not want to join Pakistan. Geelani enjoys the life of a celebrity, slush with Pakistani funds—what a great democracy!

When and how many times did Prime Minister Manmohan Singh state that the Maoist insurgency is the biggest threat to India? More importantly, how many times will he have to repeat it in future as we continue to drift along and hope the problem wishes itself away? How many times does the hierarchy need to be reminded that the roots of the problem are politico-socio-economic and military solution is not the answer?

Can’t we grasp what is amiss when the finger points straight at misgovernance and maladministration? The Maoist insurgency is no child’s play and lull periods should not be misconstrued. Pakistan and China will both like to see it accelerate and Maoist takeover in Nepal will provide further detonation. About time the government comes out with periodic comprehensive White Papers on insurgencies in J&K, North East and Maoists, complete with their status, security forces modernisation, assessments, action plans and the like. The people of India deserve this.