SC against tribal force fighting Naxalites

The Supreme Court on Thursday openly disapproved of the Salwa Judum movement to combat Naxalism in Chattisgarh and warned the BJP-led state government that it might soon lose control of the faction, reports Bhadra Sinha.

The Supreme Court on Thursday openly disapproved of the Salwa Judum movement to combat Naxalism in Chattisgarh and warned the BJP-led state government that it might soon lose control of the faction.

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An SC bench made strong comments against the state’s decision to arm the common men associated with Salwa Judum during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) against the movement.

The bench approved of the state’s concern that the problem of Naxalites was serious, but disagreed with its concept of encouraging the common man to curb unlawful activities. “We do not underestimate the enormity of the problem (Naxalism). But the state should not encourage the common man by arming them to fight Naxalites,” it said. The court favoured launching programs under the National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREG) in tribal belts to promote economic development in the areas.

“There is no infrastructure, no education and no economic development in these areas. Once you provide these basic facilities, the Naxal movement would end itself,” the bench added. The bench said: “… arming common men will create a dangerous situation...unless legal powers are vested, you can’t arm people.”

The court made the observations while perusing the action taken report filed by the Chhatisgarh government.