Press Note
March 12, 2014
Stop the Bloodshed. Declare Immediate Ceasefire. Sit for Talks to end violence.
The PUBL condemns the killing of 16 security personnel, including 11 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, 4 policemen and a civilian. The incident occurred in a land mine blast followed by indiscriminate firing by Maoists at Tongpal village in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on 11 March 2014. PUCL regrets the loss of lives, which is part of a continuing and seemingly endless series of bloody and violent attacks and counter attacks by security forces and Maoists in the state.
The interminable spiral of violence is what concerns PUCL most. It has led to the killings and injury of thousands of tribals who have been caught in the cross fire. PUCL is clear that under no circumstances can violence be justified, but the response cannot stop at mere condemnation.
The PUCL would like to reaffirm its position, that the only remedy for the present context of brutal violence is for the Government to initiate a process of unconditional ceasefire. This could end hostilities on both sides and create the ground for talks. Additionally, PUCL appeals to the Maoists to agree to an unconditional ceasefire and engage in talks.
It is of outmost importance that Adivasi groups, such as the Adivasi Mahasabha, Sarva Samaj and other representative organizations of Adivasis need to be included in the talks to end the violence – apart from the Maoists and the Government
PUCL would like to restate that the middle ground in the peace discourse needs to be restored. This has also been a casualty, due to the ‘with us or against us’ rhetoric in the Government policy in the affected area. It is only mediation by a group of concerned and independent citizens which can take the process of peace and justice forward.
Apart from the deaths of scores of security personnel and Maoist cadres in the numerous offensives and counter-offensives, the most disastrous part of the spirals of violence is the thousands of innocent tribals and villagers, whom have paid a heavy price.
They have been subjected to severe human rights violations at the hands of security and police forces, implicated and arrested in false prosecutions and spent years in jails without trial. Hundreds of tribals have been killed, women raped and houses destroyed due to the violence by Salwa Judum cadres, operating with the support of the state. Despite the Supreme Court’s orders they have not got justice, and the state continues to be in contempt of the orders of the Supreme Court.
PUCL would like to point out that there are sufficient number of studies of the National Planning Commission which have pointed out that the only solution in dealing with the Maoist issue is; land distribution, implementation of the Forest Rights Act, acknowledging the rights of the tribals to forest and to stop mindless plundering of the natural resources in the tribal areas which have destroyed the livelihoods and habitats of the tribal people.
The best way to restore faith in democracy is by, integrating human rights, equity and social justice considerations into all government policies, plans and programs while abandoning the militaristic approach as the solution.
The PUCL, through this press release appeals to both the security forces as also the Maoist forces to immediately announce an unconditional ceasefire, stop armed engagements and to engage in talks.
Signed
(V. Suresh)
Dr. V. Suresh, National General Secretary, PUCL
Prof. Prabhakar Sinha, National President, PUCL
Dr. Binayak Sen, National Vice-President and President, PUCL Chhattisgarh
Sudha Bharadwaj, General Secretary, PUCL Chhattisgarh
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