Tribals disenchanted with anti-naxal movement

Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, Dec 18 (UNI) Disenchanted with the anti-naxal 'Salwa Judum' movement launched in Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh nearly one and a half years ago, the tribals have declined to support it any more.

The otherwise peace-loving and docile tribals took out a rally against 'Salwa Judum' in Madded town last week, shouting slogans against senior tribal Congress leader Mahendra Karma, who launched the anti-naxal movement in June last year, the more than 4000 tribals charged him with transforming even the interior into a ''conflict zone.'' The fallout of the growing disenchantment with the government-supported movement was the thin attendance at the public meeting, addressed by Governor K M Seth and Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh, at Gangalur on December 11.

Two days ago, two Special Police Officers, detailed on security duty for the tribals attending the Gangalur rally, were killed in attack by naxalites in Basaguda area.

In contrast, a rally organised here last month by CPI against the Salwa Judum movement was attended by more than 40,000 people, tribal Congress MLA Rajendra Pambhoi, said.

Support and opposition to the Salwa Judum movement has also caused a rift among the Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh with former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi coming out openly against the movement, saying the tribals were the worst sufferers as they were caught in the hostilities between the ultras and security forces.

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