Retributions  

Cart before the horse

In an op-ed in the Indian Express, Sushant K. Singh and I argue that without ensuring security in Maoist affected areas, government’s development package is destined to fail,

In states where even policemen are shying away from serving in Maoist zones, is it reasonable to believe that the local population would risk their lives by challenging Maoist authority because they have — or are promised — more electricity or cleaner water by the government? Indeed, Maoists — wary of even the slightest challenge to their authority in areas they control — are selectively targeting contractors, civil agencies and NGOs. Genuine progress in reconstruction and economic development rests on adequate security. Unless security is established first, any “hearts and minds” approach is destined to fail, fuelling even more discontent among the local population and providing further ammunition to the Maoist propaganda machinery.

Similarly, the ‘rewards for surrender’ scheme can deliver results only when the core groups of Maoists have been neutralised. With Maoists running a lucrative extortion racket in the “red corridor”, there are no incentives for even the ideologically uncommitted cadres to surrender.[link]