*Petition Against Military Offensive in Central India*

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.

Sincerely,

 

Satbir Singh Bedi"

 

I have also given the following comments:

 

"While it is true that no development can take place under the shadow of guns, all the SEZs in tribal areas which are full of minerals, should be scrapped so that there is no exploitation of poor tribals by the private/foreign corporations and there is no deforestation which would effect not only the tribals but our Eco system so that we would not be having timely Monsoons which would result in loss of food grains and other agricultural products as well as wild life conservation. In fact, activists all over the world are opposing the mining of uranium etc. for ensuring wildlife conservation.
 
Then, there is the need to ensure that all the benefits of all the welfare schemes reach the tribals and there is no corruption in tribal areas either by political leaders or by bureaucrats.  Just as Koda, the former CM of Jharkhand is being taken to task, similarly other corrupt people in the tribal areas must be brought to justice to end the sense of alienation of the tribals and to keep Maoists at bay."
 
Satbir Singh Bedi