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Sukma collector a villain in the eyes of Maoists
ANIL DWIVEDI | Chhattisgarh, May 2, 2012 16:34
Tags : Raman Singh led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government | Sukma Collector Alex Paul Menon |
Tags : Raman Singh led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government | Sukma Collector Alex Paul Menon |
Raman Singh led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's efforts to analyse the effectiveness of Gram Swaraj in villages have exposed the weak security link in the naxal affected state of Chhattisgarh.
The worsening state of affairs was further highlighted by the abduction of Sukma Collector Alex Paul Menon who is yet to be released from the captivity of the red ultras. The 32-year-old IAS officer of 2006 batch was abducted on April 21.
Interestingly, just a day after Collector’s abduction, parliamentary secretary Mahesh Gagra was attacked by the Maoists leading to the death of two BJP leaders.
Earlier, Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Kedar Kashyap also had a narrow escape in one such Maoist attack.
The Maoists have also objected to the Collector being projected as a heroic figure. They have alleged that the Collector is responsible for “atrocities” and anti-naxal operations.
"The Collector is equally responsible for the violence in the south Bastar and other areas,”Maoist commander Ganesh Udke was quoted as saying. He further alleged that Memon was responsible for several anti-maoists operation in Dantewada, Bijapur and border areas of Andhra Pradesh.
Observing the security vacuum, the legislators from Maoist-infested region have alleged police apathy in securing them. Speaking to The Sunday Indian, Gagra said, "The police are not serious about our security.”
However, the security forces have also paid a heavy price for this in fighting naxalism.
Meanwhile, the Centre and state government are making all possible efforts to ensure early release of the Collector.
However, the two interlocutors B D Sharma and G Hargopal says the unending demands of the Maoists have resulted in the delay of the release of the officer. They said, "Earlier the Maoists had demanded for the release of eight hardcore Naxals but now they are seeking the release of the more than 100 ultras."
In another development, the attempt to release hardcore Maoists in exchange of the Collector has evoked strong reactions from several quarters. It is said that the move has created a rift between the IAS and IPS association.
As reports suggest that security forces have stopped Operation Green Hunt, the government expects some positive steps from Maoists and safe release of the Sukma Collector.
Issue Dated: Feb 5, 2017
