Dialogue, moratorium in naxalite violence suggested

New Delhi, Apr 29: As a measure to contain the menace of naxalites in Chhattisgarh, the Government should come forward by holding up its anti-naxalite operation and both the naxalites and the Government should accept a six- month moratorium on violence, a report said.

The report, prepared by a team of social scientists and independent citizens, has suggested that the naxalites should make an offer for peace and serious negotiations with the Government. However, the offer can not be taken seriously if the naxalites maintain they would continue to hold on to their weaponry, Jan Adalats and continue violent activities.

According to the report, the naxalites should also start holding parallel negotiations with mainstream left parties and probe the possibilitiy of ending open competitive politics in their political space provided by the democratic polity.

The study team, led by Prof S Narayan, visited 20 tribal villages and six tribal market places. They spoke to nearly 100 people, including around 23 naxalite supporters, 25 Salwa Judum (peace mission) supporters and around 52 tribals who were neither pro-Salwa Judum nor pro-naxalites, in the tribal Bastar region of Chhattisgarh recently.

The study, entitled ''Report on Peace Initiative by Social Scientists and Independent Citizens in Bastar area of Chhattisgarh'', revealed that the immediate provocation for the Salwa Judum movement was the seasonal unemployment of the tribals.

According to the people of the area, the tendu leaf contractors and the naxalites could not come to an agreement over the 'rent' demanded by naxalites. As a result, the tendu leaf contractors refrained from submitting tenders for the season.

Besides, the survey in the villages indicated that the undercurrent of the tribal unrest existed for quite some time due to the manner the tribals were treated by the naxalites and their total disregard for their custom and religion, including totems and village Gods.

UNI