Salwa Judum movement slows down to redraw anti-naxal strategy

Raipur, Mar 31 (UNI) The anti-naxal movement in South Bastar region of Chhattisgarh has slowed down to work out strategies to take on Maoist rebels in view of the stepped up violence in the state.

The 'Salwa Judum' movement, which the government claims to be a spontaneous reaction to Maoist oppression, was hailed as a turning point in the fight against naxalism.

The campaign, which began in June last year, slowed down last month, particularly after Darbhaguda landmine blast in which 29 tribals were killed and scores were injured.

Senior Congress leader and opposition leader in the assembly Mahendra Karma, who is actively associated with the 'Salwa Judum,' told UNI the campaign and the situation arising out of it was being reviewed in view of the Darbhaguda blast.

''Public meetings and padyatras have been suspended for the time being but other activities are continuing,'' he said.

Home Minister Ram Vichar Netam admitted the movement had slowed down in view of the retaliatory acts by naxalites.

''The movement would continue after new strategies were drawn out,'' he added.

Salwa Judum, which in local dialect means peace movement, received support from the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.

The campaign aimed at motivating people to disassociate themselves from the ultras with ministers taking part in the campaign.

Besides, about 3,500 local youth, including girls, were deputed as Special Police Officers (SPO) on a monthly honorarium of Rs 1,500 to assist the security forces in intelligence gathering and special operations after brief training in handling of firearms.

Salwa Judum members have been organising public meetings and rallies to impress upon the misguided youth and to bring them back to the national mainstream.

As the movement spread from one village to another, the ultras began attacking those associated with the movement in an apparent bid to prevent the people from participating in the movement.

In one of the major attacks, the naxalites triggered a blast at Darbhaguda and blew up a truck in which Salwa Judum supporters were returning after attending a meeting, killing 29 villagers and maiming scores of others on February 28.

Talking to reporters here today, Home Minister Shiv Raj Patil said about 46,000 people, who were caught in the hostilities between police and ultras, had deserted their villages and took shelter in government-run relief camps. ''We are now intensifying our efforts for the rehabilitation of those who have taken shelter in relief camps,'' he said, adding that all efforts were being made to provide security and facilities for education and health of their children.

Mr Netam said he did not agree with the perception that Salwa Judum movement has come to a standstill.

''The movement against naxalites will continue,'' he said, adding new security strategies were being worked out.

Fresh strategies to deal with naxals were necessitated after a relief camp was attacked and a vehicle carrying tribals from a anti-naxal rally were ambushed by the naxalites, while tribals are also leaving camps and returning to their villages on the call of naxalites.

Regarding the future course of action, Mr Karma said, ''It was a major setback that many villagers were killed in Darbhaguda. We have to review the situation and redraw our strategies.'' He said not holding padyatras and public meetings did not mean that 'Salwa Judum' movement has been stopped.

UNI