PUCL condemns Maoist attack, stresses on pro-tribal laws

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh People’s Union For Civil Liberties, Chhattisgarh condemns the ruthless ambush carried out by Maoists at Burkapal area under Chintagufa limits in Sukma district and expresses its grief at the killing of 25 jawans, mostly young persons of poor families. There have been more casualties in the first four months of this year than in the entire year for
the last four years. This incident shows that the large numbers of surrenders and arrests (many of them
challenged by villagers) boasted by the Chhattisgarh police in the past few years have not led to a significant decline in the military capacity of the Naxalites. A situation of civil war still prevails in Bastar although the government refuses to declare this an “internal armed conflict” to avoid monitoring by the United Nations, PUCL alleged.
PUCL apprehends that soon the security forces would “retaliate” by “search and cordon operations” in the area which are only likely to hurt the soft target of civilians. Consequent arrests, beatings and killings will only intensify the cycles of violence and lead to counter-violence. PUCL reiterates its longstanding demands that de-escalation of violence requires the restoration of faith of the local adivasi people in state through the strict implementation of pro-tribal laws like the PESA, Forest Rights Act; the better provision of health, education and other welfare activities; a perception of getting justice and dignity; the restoration of civil administration as opposed to administration by security forces in interior areas; and addressing of popular demands as voiced by Sarv Adivasi Samaj or other local tribal organizations.