With Them or Against Us

Even as people in certain Naxal-affected areas are getting tired of the endless cycle of violence, the inability of the police to protect them is ensuring that people support Maoists rather than the police.

Even as people in certain Naxal-affected areas are getting tired of the endless cycle of violence, the inability of the police to protect them is ensuring that people support Maoists rather than the police.  This is what happened recently in a village called Nischinta in West Midnapore district of West Bengal. 

On the night of 25 July, a group of Maoists arrived at the village and asked the people to walk to a neighbouring village to take part in a public meeting. Some of the villagers objected to being ordered around and refused to attend the programme at night. Upon this, the Maoists beat up a few villagers. Immediately, though, they found themselves gheraoed by angry villagers. 

Sensing the belligerent mood of the villagers, the Maoists sped away on motorcycles. But one of them was caught by the villagers and kept tied to a pillar in a school. The next morning, when the police arrived to take the fellow away, the villagers demanded security for themselves. The police expressed helplessness, saying they were not in a position to set up a camp. Fearing reprisal from Maoists, the villagers then freed their prisoner. 

A police officer later said they did not want to act against the villagers as they understood their predicament.

About The Author

Rahul Pandita

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