President of Patriots Forum, D.C. Nath was superannuated in January, 1995, as the Special Director, Intelligence Bureau, D.C. Nath (IPS-1960) was associated with the International Institute of Security and Safety Management (IISSM), headquartered in New Delhi, for over 14 years, first as the Executive President & CEO and then as the President & Director General, between February, 1997 and March, 2011. The author of a highly acclaimed book, Intelligence Imperatives for India, Mr. Nath earned high plaudits from all around for two of his very significant presentations on: “Revisiting the Future of India” (2005, London) and “Lessons from India for the War On Terrorism” (2007, USA). He is the only one in the field, combining the experiences of a police officer with specialization in intelligence and strategic analysis and an industrial security expert par excellence. More Bio on D. C. Nath…
OPINION>>>>
May 21, 2015
Dear Friends,
Subject: Solution To Continued Maoist Violence
We are today trying to tread on a ground where “angels dare not”. We beg to be excused if at the end you will feel we have wasted your time.
As known, it all had started in late 60s of the last century as a “proletariat movement” against the “bourgeosie”—the simple villagers’ protest, starting from village Naxalbari in Darjeeling district of West Bengal against exploitation by almost all concerned. But, the ‘beauty’ in it was: it was then a pure ideology-driven movement, guided by truly committed ideologues, like Kanu Sanyal and Charu Majumdar.
The movement’s call or appeal was so strong that the bright students from the elite institution like the Presidency College of Calcutta (now Kolkata) got attracted to it as moths do to the fire. The history of this movement has indeed been colourful, with its gradual spread into the deepest jungles of Andhra Pradesh, in the process changing its name as the Maoist movement.
A large number of books have been written by many having personal knowledge of the founder leaders of the movement. Many well-known strategic analysts have also dealt with the various nuances of the problem. But, we must say, in all humility, none of them has tackled the question: why we are not being able to eradicate this menace, the most important internal security problem, as the former UPA Prime Minister had described it? Of course, that formulation is incorrect. There are problems that are yet to be identified fully unlike the present-day Maoist menace. The Maoist problem, as it exists now, stands well identified and confined to limited area/s, with its current fortress being the jungle of Chhattisgarh.
Before we proceed further, it is worth noting that thanks to our failure to explain the causative factors behind the original ideology-driven movement and the present-day contour of the problem, people outside have fancy ideas about the Maoist problem still being a story of down-trodden and socially oppressed and poorer sections of the society. We happened to be in an international TV debate with us from india, a gentleman (Indian) from the US and a lady activist from England. After a short exchange of views and counter-views, we had to tell the TV anchor outside India that it was not worth continuing the discussion because the lady activist had no idea as such about the ground realities of the movement at all. The debate was discontinued.
An important aspect that is not commonly discussed but explains the ground reality very clearly is the nexus between the corporate world, the local politicians and the police. Some years back, a noted film director (Gautam Ghose) had presented at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi an emotionally surcharged film, divided in parts, clearly depicting what has been happening on the ground, The film had dubbing in Bengali and English. The moment the film was over, there was a roar of demand on the director to prepare a Hindi version of the film as also a complete English dubbing so as to carry the message of the movement to the world stage. This is a very important aspect while dealing with the Maoists, mostly tribals. It appeared to be a clear case of conspiracy and planned looting, taking away things of their daily grab and precious metals, etc.
Friends, many of us are aware of how well equipped the Maoists are their contact both inside & outside the country. A DGP in Chhattisgarh had some years back told the local press that some of the ammunitions seized from the Maoists bore the distinct mark of those being from Pakistan. We can really go into rapture to describe how modern are the present-day Maoists are in so far as their accoutrements are concerned. But, with all these, they remain rather identified and localised, as stated earlier.
And, therein lies the key to the solution of this vexed problem. Once a seasoned DIG of Police in Andhra Pradesh, who later on became the Director CBI and a minister in the State, was clear in his views: “The Maoists were patronised by the political parties for various purposes. Let them withdraw themselves.We can then tackle them”.
That is exactly the point. No matter whatever strategies are worked out and discussed years after years in annual DGP’s Conferences, reiterating that after all it was a socio-economic problem with the need for putting thrust on developmental activities, and then organising inter State confabulations soon after a big hit against the police and the SOPs are updated and to whatever level the police are equipped with more sophisticated arms and ammunitions, what is needed is: an integrated policy covering all the affected States, with “a clear message for political clearance” to the police to go ahead by the concerned State governments. Leave them alone thereafter. The Centre may please provide them with some air-support when asked for.
We strongly believe it may not take the determined police, working without any political interference, yet accountable for their performance, to eradicate the cancer of Maoist violence within a period of six months to a year.
Well, this is our definitive prescription. It can always be bettered. Some friends may just glance through the piece, with ‘kind’ observations like we have provided some food for thought. But, that is not our goal. Our basic submission is: how many more police lives we shall suffer before the vital decision on “political clearance” is taken and the police are left to work out the solution within the bounds of the constitutional framework and true democratic supervision.
Friends, if some of you would feel we are on the right track, kindly be gracious enough to take this up with your respective State governments. We propose sending copy to the concerned in the Centre.
Vandemataram,
Your sevak,
D.C. Nath
(Former Spl. Director, IB)
(President, Patriots’ Forum)
To
The Honourable Union Home Minister,
(Shri Rajnath Singh)
The National Security Advisor,
(Shri A K Doval)
The Union Home Secretary
Shri L.C. Goyal
May 23, 2015
Sir, just when we were about to send hard copy to you, we received some excellent and very practical and valid suggestions from a senior in the service. These are put in a tabulated form.
· Most of the time, the tribals were not only looted but also ridiculed and humiliated by the dominant non-tribals. Therefore, any effort to reach out to the general mass of tribals will succeed only if it assures them that their dignity will be maintained.
· The Tribal Councils, which were mandated by the VI th Schedule of the Constitution, were never formed. These Councils must be formed so that local tribals have a real say in matters which concern them and feel that they are masters of their own destiny.
· What do we offer a young Maoist when he decides to revert to the mainstream? We have to think of something better than a sum of money and a low-grade job (because he is not qualified for higher jobs). Can we think of some skill-development programmes which will suit the temperament of these people and yet guarantee high-in-esteem jobs?
· We learn that our counter-propaganda in the area is very weak;unless we strengthen it, we can’t possibly wean the locals away.
· Lastly, and very importantly, the local policeman whose relatives are living in areas which are vulnerable to Maoist attacks can hardly afford to alienate the Maoists. We can’t just put them in the forefront of this fight: we have to use their services very carefully.
Sir, we are confident, taken along with our submission, which will provide the base, the suggestion above will ensure the death-knell of the Maoist insurgency that ought to have been over long back and many lives saved.
D.C. Nath
(Former Spl. Director, IB)
The Prime Minister Office
(Attention: To Shri P.K. Mishra)
For information and action, as thought appropriate.
D.C. Nath
(Former Spl. Director, IB)
To TV Channels/Newspapers
for favour of focusing on the suggestions made.
D.C. Nath
(Former Spl. Director, IB)
(President, Patriots’ Forum)
Source: Patriot Forum
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