Was wondering, what should be my stand when I read the news related to the 21 deaths in Maoist infested Bijapur district, of Chattisgarh. The news in HT (24/06/2010) mentioned the diarrhoea deaths owing to drinking of contaminated water. The district administration had miserably failed to transport medical facilities to these remote areas due to poor road connectivity and Maoist insurgency. The district administration, shamelessly, even went to the extent of suggesting the poor tribals to drink rainwater as an alternative. Implicitly, it was admitted that providing immediate help was beyond their ken.
The question arises as to who should be blamed for this situation. Are the villagers paying the price for their own deeds of supporting the Maoist ideology, for providing them hideouts, giving logistical backup and safe passage to the naxalites. How much is the logic true that living under their shadow of terror, they have no other choice but to support these Maoists. Every now and then, threatening message is passed by cold-blooded murders of police informers.
So, should we let these villagers pay the price for their misdemeanour and left to the mercy of the Maoists, who promise to fight for their better future? Is it ethical on the part of the villagers to expect from the government to provide services of basic amenities at their doorstep, when they do not think twice before supporting heinous act like butchering of State’s armed forces?
In response to these instant surges of emotions, I realised that the most important aspect of the issue, which has been left out, is the duties and responsibilities of the “State” to prevent the human right violations and to provide security to its citizens at all cost. As a State, there is no room for bargain when it comes to delivering of services. The State by its very existence is duty bound to provide security and services. This responsibility is indisputable and cannot be shirked on any pretext.
The ongoing situation has revealed that one of the greatest challenges faced by the State in coming days is to re-establish the government institutions and strengthen the local governance, effectively promoting a sense of state ownership amongst the villagers and victims of conflict. Non-presence of State machinery will further alienate the masses and corroborate the claim of subversive groups. It will be loss-loss situation for the government. In fact, the genesis of the rebellious movement has been due to exploitation, and negligible outreach of the government’s projects.
Does not a casual remark, howsoever logically made, stokes the feeling of neglect? I think when there are forces working overtime to undo the States best practices, State machinery will have to tread very cautiously, taking into consideration the vulnerability of the target group. Every death due to laxity of the district administration will add to the score of Naxalites and toughen the situation for State.
(Priyanka and Veerendra)
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