Dear Mr. Chidambaram, Hon’ble
Home Minister of India
cc. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime
Minister of India
cc. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi
We the undersigned are alarmed
at the Government’s adoption of a military solution to the conflict
in the tribal belts of central India. Operation Green Hunt will exact
a toll in terms of innocent human lives and a long-lasting hatred in
the hearts and minds of those who survive. We strongly believe that
what is being called the war against Maoists will result in a war against
adivasis, even if that is not the intention, because military operations
will directly impact all the adivasis in the geographical area.
We stand against violence of
all forms, structural and physical, from all sides, whether it is from
Maoists, the State, corporate powers or independent citizens and groups,
or dispossession, loss of livelihoods and endemic malnutrition. Instead
of a paradigm of meaningful and participatory development, India’s
recent decades of growth has exacerbated disparities in society. Surely,
your government realizes that such uneven development will only intensify
the cycle of violence without any promise of real or lasting benefits
for the poorest. There is ample evidence around the world, and in history
to suggest that uneven development and state sponsored violence leads
to a breakdown of democracy - to failed States and "puppet governments."
In Chhattisgarh too, the State- backed Salwa Judum has only added fuel
to the ongoing conflict.
We strongly urge you to hold
talks with civil society groups that work very closely with the people
to understand ground realities better. These groups can provide valuable
advice for long lasting peace and justice in the region and should not
be dismissed or penalized as "Maoist sympathizers".
Vanvasi Chetna Ashram (VCA),
a Gandhian organization has been working in southern Chhattisgarh for
the last two decades on issues of health, education and empowerment
of the adivasis. Led by Mr. Himanshu Kumar, VCA has courageously
worked for the rehabilitation of villagers made refugees on their own
lands by the atrocities of Salwa Judum and by the cyclical violence
resulting from it. We urge you to hold talks with Mr. Himanshu Kumar
to understand and adopt this alternate paradigm of development.
In the interest of innocent
tribal families living in the forests who will surely come in harm's
way through the planned Operation Green Hunt, we demand that:
1.
The government retract military operations in Central India with immediate
effect.
2.
Hold meaningful conversations with adivasi representatives and
development workers such as Mr. Himanshu Kumar.
3.
Disband Salwa Judum with immediate effect and end covert militarization
through arming of civilians as Special Police Officers.
4.
Support rehabilitation of refugees and ensure responsible governance
so people can return to their homes, pursue their livelihoods and democratically
participate in the development process.
5.
Initiate action against government functionaries who have perpetrated
or promoted extrajudicial violence.
Signed,
