Short Fuse

Six months ago, when Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh presided over the hassle-free release of Maoist-abducted District Magistrate of Sukna, Alex Paul Menon, it was regarded as a coup. The IAS officer's freedom from confinement had been attained – apparently without any strings attached or compromises made, and there appeared on the horizon the potential outline for a future national hostage policy.

But with passing time the deal, which then looked like a template for states battling radical Left violence, appears to be more and more of a chimera. Reason? The two main promises which ensured the safe return of the DM have not been met.

The twin terms of endearment – the release of important Naxalite leaders lodged in several jails in Chhattisgarh and taking back criminal cases slapped on tribals – have been put in the cold storage and there is every chance that the uneasy truce between the state government and the Maoists could break down. Predicts Satish Kunjam of the Adivasi Mahasabha, "It has the potential to derail the tenuous peace process."

The situation in Chhattisgarh vis a vis the Maoists is surprisingly not as violent as it is in neighbouring Odisha, where any agreement between the government and Left radicals is necessarily preceded by the release of Naxalite leaders. Similar compromises have been arrived at in Jharkhand and other states.

In the meantime, a four-member negotiating group of notables, had been in talks with the Maoists. Professor Hargopal from Hyderabad and former IAS officer BD Sharma, both well regarded by ultra-Communists, in addition to former chief secretaries of undivided Madhya Pradesh (of which Chhattisgarh was a part) Nirmala Buch and SK Mishra had been in touch with  Naxalites without any tangible results on the horizon.

Says Mishra, "The Maoist side emphasised that like Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh should also release their hard core comrades. Our position is that hearings are going on in various courts and their release is directly linked to judicial processes.'' In other words, no unilateral release is possible. Neither is there indication that the long standing Maoist demand of setting up a judicial commission anywhere close to being met.

After much dithering, it was agreed that a three-member high-level committee would look into cases where charges against Naxalites were relatively lighter so that a quick release could be facilitated.

 That there was no deadline allotted for this exercise became a further excuse for the state government to delay proceedings. Says Kunjam, "Till date not a single Naxalite leader has been released and the government does not appear serious.''

The Maoists have demanded the release of eight hard core extremists. Among them are Markam Gopanna alias Satyam Reddy, Nirmal Ekka alias Vijay Lakshmi, Devpal Chandrashekhar Reddy, Shantipriya Reddy and Meena Chowdhary.

The state government does not have too many choices. According to Chhattisgarh police officials, there are more than 1,500 Maoists languishing in several jails in the state; of them about half are hard core offenders. There are more than 1000 cases registered against Nirmal Ekka; most others have dozens of cases against their names. Shantipriya Reddy and Asit Kumar Sen already stand convicted.

In such a situation, the state government says it cannot do much. Explains Chhattisgarh DGP Ramnivas, "Once the cases reach the court, our hands are tied. All I can say is that if and when the Naxalites are ordered to be released by the court, we will not raise objections."

The delays are raising Maoist anger. A recent attack on Salwa Judum leader Mahendra Karma is a sign that the militants may resort to violence if their demands are not met. One negotiator who returned from the conversation table recently, told TSI that the radicals are all set to hit back in order to prove their seriousness. A sure way to scuttle any peace process.

anil.dwivedi@thesundayindian.com

“Patience is the key”

Former Chief Secretary Nirmala Buch is the key negotiator from the Chhattisgarh government's side. Excerpts from an interview:

How far has the government fulfilled its promises made during Menon's release?
There have been four meetings of the Review Committee and we are trying hard. As far as the release of Naxalites are concerned, the cases are being heard in courts and they will take a call.

It has been six months, but no Naxalite leader has been released. How do you win the confidence of the ultras?
There was no deadline agreed to, neither has any leader's name been mentioned. We are doing what is in our hands. Apart from the human aspect, there are legal formalities too. The message coming out from the country too is positive, that talks and negotiations are the only way out.
Do you think that too much delay could undermine the government's position?
Not at all. There are negotiators on both sides; both the government and the Naxalites have to be taken on board.

The administrative machinery and even common people believe that if the government does not agree to the demands, the Naxalites will step up violence.
I do not think so. Whatever happens will be under due processes of law. The big worry is that the innocent tribals locked up on trumped up charges be released and we are proceeding in that direction. The Review Committee is also serious and the government is keen to back its commitment but the Naxalites need to be patient.

“Naxalites always favour mediators”

Brahma Dev Sharma, a former IAS officer, is the key negotiator for the Maoists. He talks in an exclusive interview.

The government had agreed to a few demands when IAS officer Menon was released. How far have they been met?
Not much has happened in the last six months. The demands have to be met otherwise the Naxalites will not agree to talks. There have to be some confidence building measures.

The review committee set up by the government says the cases are in courts and out of their hands.
The real issue here is that innocent tribals who have been picked up be released.

Do you believe that if the government does not agree to the demands, even the mediators could be discredited.
The Naxalites have always believed in mediation. Menon's release was executed keeping them on board. Why should they be against mediators?

Does the attack on Mahendra Karma reveal that the Maoists could yet go on the offensive if they believe that the government has gone back on its word.
This is but natural. I believe that the government should be a little more serious. Four or five years ago, the Andhra Pradesh government had started talking to Naxalites with IAS officer Shankaran acting as the go-between. The government insisted that talks could only happen if the radicals gave up their arms. Governments have to understand that if they give up their arms, there can be no negotiations. The scene in Andhra is much improved now.