SC accuses Chattisgarh Govt of holding brief for Salwa Judum
The Supreme Court today slammed the Chhattisgarh government for furnishing "vague" information about measures taken by it to tackle the Maoist menace and accused it of holding a brief for Salwa Judum, an anti-Naxal vigilante group.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday slammed the Chhattisgarh government for furnishing "vague" information about measures taken by it to tackle the Maoist menace and accused it of holding a brief for Salwa Judum, an anti-Naxal vigilante group.
"The affidavit (by state government) does not give full particulars about the steps taken by it and the information furnished is totally vague," a bench comprising Justices B Sudershan Reddy and SS Nijjar said.
"We accordingly direct the Chattisgarh government to file a proper and comprehensive affidavit on points discussed in the court," the bench said while perusing the affidavit filed by the state government.
The Chhattisgarh government has filed the affidavit in response to the apex court's posers to it on August 11 as to the steps taken by it to tackle the Naxal menace and its stand on disbanding of the Salwa Judum.
"We have gone through your affidavit. Either you want to suppress or hold something," the bench said, adding the Chhattisgarh government has not stated anything about the Salwa Judum in the affidavit.
"No where have you stated about the Salwa Judum that you will not support it. You have only said that it is a spontaneous peoples' revolution," it said.
The bench was critical of the tone and tenor of the affidavit and observed, "It appears that you are holding the brief for them (Salwa Judum)."
The apex court also expressed its displeasure over the state government's failure to mention the number of cases registered against the Salwa Judum, accused of human rights violation in Maoist-hit tribal districts of the state.
"You very conveniently do not say anything in the affidavit. Don't invite adverse comments. We are not in a habit of making adverse comments," the bench said.
The bench said it was not satisfied with the affidavit particularly in reference to the occupation of schools and ashrams by the central forces.
The bench said that the state government was "evasive" on it and it has not stated as to how many schools and ashrams have been vacated from the occupation of the central forces.
The bench also said if the Chhattisgarh government was facing any problem, it should be stated before this court.
The court, which heard Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium on behalf of the Centre, told the state government that it should have followed the things done by the Centre.