The Centre expects escalation in violence by Left-wing insurgents before its new anti-Maoist combat plan is implemented in mid-November.
The Centre expects escalation in violence by Left-wing insurgents before its new anti-Maoist combat plan is implemented in mid-November. To wean public support away from insurgents, the government has launched a massive tribal welfare programme in Jharkhand, presently under President’s rule.
Home ministry sources said Maoists were carrying out attacks to divert the security apparatus’ attention and disturb the poll process in Maharashtra. “We expect escalation in such incidents before a fresh offensive by forces to free areas being controlled by insurgents,” the sources said.
According to ministry estimates, insurgents control wide areas in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Maharasthra, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, which together have a population of 25 lakh. “Our endeavour is to secure these areas without causing collateral damage, so that development can take place,” the sources said.
Significantly, the Jharkhand government has withdrawn over 1 lakh cases registered against tribals. The cases were of small nature. The move is part of government measures to build confidence among tribals and poor sections of society being exploited by Maoists.
Admitting that successive governments in Maoist states had ignored these people and that an “unholy” nexus existed between some sections of the political spectrum and Maoists, the sources pointed out that an effort was being made by the present dispensation in Jharkhand to start welfare programmes. They hoped that other Maoist states would initiate similar measures.
According to a report sent by the Jharkhand governor to the Centre, ever since the state’s creation this was the first year that subsidised sugar (26,880 quintals) was supplied to tribals.
The levied sugar was earlier being sold in the black market. Similarly, they were being provided free ration under the Antodya programme and 3,292 self-help groups had been created for the purpose.
In addition, 583 grain-banks had been created at the village level and 610 suvidha stores opened to supply consumer goods to tribals. Also, Rs47.79 crore was distributed among 5.96 lakh students as stipend. Health insurance, earlier confined to only six districts, has now been extended to the entire state.
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