More on Junglemahal

Give Peace a Chance!
Asokendu Sengupta

On 7th July 2011 the Chief Minister of West Bengal requested a section of concerned citizens to take initiatives to bring peace in Junglemahal. Six individuals, this writer being one of them, were asked officially by the Chief Minister to act as interlocutors. This infuriated a section of intellectuals; some of them were self-proclaimed champions of the Junglemahal Movement. They questioned the credence of these six people. Some of the critics even went to the extent of personal vilification. Maybe some of them are skeptics; some had serious doubts about the capability of interlocutors. Interestingly, a section of media personnel were also unhappy over the composition of the team. This heterogeneous combination of the detractors remained busy in mud-slinging.

On that day different aspects of the problem were discussed in Chief Minister's chamber in presence of the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DG of Police and other officials. Bratya Basu, the Education Minister was also present. It was decided that the interlocutors would try to bring all the stakeholders to the negotiation table in order to bring peace and to create a congenial atmosphere that might help start development works in the region. A joint declaration signed by the Team six and the Home Secretary was made public by the Chief Minister herself in a press meet.

One important question merits serious attention. The question is, why this peace move was considered so important?

Main stakeholders were indeed the Maoists and the PCAPA [People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities]. But, practically the PCAPA had lost its relevance in Junglemahal since Maoists took control of the platform. And, the Maoists indeed had lost spontaneous popular support in the region. However, Maoists or no Maoists - some facts remained unaltered. The people of this region have been deprived of their rightful claims over their land and forest for years. They have witnessed the terrors of the state forces; some lost their relatives in encounters; false cases were registered against many, and they were denied their human rights - right to live with dignity. Maoists, their mistakes and misadventures notwithstanding, firmly stood, at the hour of crisis, by the oppressed for a couple of years to impress the world of the negligence perpetuated by the state.

Further, it is an established fact that peace is a prerequisite of development works everywhere. So, it is the duty of any pro-people government to take positive steps to bring peace. Mamata Banerjee's government was eager to build its pro-people image. At the same time the government was aware of the fact that the Maoists were capable of spreading violence and stall development works. It was a compulsion on the part of new government to buy peace.

Maoists responded positively to peace initiative simply because they had correctly felt the pulses of the people. People wanted peace and development. Maoists dared not go against the wishes of the people. Development of the backward region is an important point in the Maoists’ agenda also. So, the Maoists welcomed the peace move.

Several groups of Jharkhandis and Naxals, and also some individuals in Jhargram, jointly submitted a memorandum. The meeting was attended by among others, Babu Bose who was later killed by Maoists. The same interlocutors met a group of prisoners in Medinipur Central Jail including Chhatradhar Mahato, Sudip Chongdar, Prasun Chattopadhyay and Raja Sarkhel. They all welcomed the peace move. They also urged the government to release the political prisoners immediately. None of them demanded an immediate total withdrawal of Joint forces. Some people who attended the Jhargram meet even claimed that the presence of joint forces had given a sense of security. Some people, of course argued that joint forces' operations must stop first.

The team received dozens of complaints against police and Para military forces. In the next meeting at Medinipur Central Jail, apart from leaders who were present in the first meeting, Niyati Mahato (wife of Chhatradhar), Anu Maity and Asokejiban Ghosh were also present. On both these occasions Chhatradhar talked with this writer separately for a while.

Some civil rights activists and intellectuals expressed apprehensions that the Maoists might not take interlocutors seriously and they might not agree to surrender arms. These apprehensions had no base. In the joint declaration no stakeholders, including the Police force, were asked to surrender arms. Rather they were asked only to hold back arms during the peace process. Responding to the call and rubbishing all speculations Akash, the Secretary of the West Bengal State Committee of CPI (Maoist), invited the team to discuss the peace agenda. Two of the team risking their lives, met him in a Maoist hideout. In this meeting and through an interview published in a website the CPI (Maoist) made it clear that they want peace and development. They, in fact, also admitted that the presence of joint forces reduced crime and violence in the area, and since the assumption of new government all sorts of operations by the joint forces had considerably been reduced. The same two interlocutors met Akash and his companion again to prepare grounds for peace talks.

Everybody, leaders or people, farmers or office workers that interlocutors met by appointment or by chance, said in unequivocal terms: bring peace at any cost. At any cost! But, what that cost is?

Peace at any cost
Peace is not a commodity that can be purchased in an open market. It is a lifestyle to be achieved through practice. It is simultaneously a political, social and psychological process. Yearning for peace fortunately exists in Indian culture. Teachings of Upanisads and Gita, writings of Rabindranath, movements of Gandhiji and several others have underlined the importance of peace in society. With the advent of open market economy people have succumbed to the wishes of world markets. Also people have surrendered the idea of society, idea of values, and idea of peace. Somerset Maugham wrote: peace is nowhere to be found except in your mind. This was never the guiding principle of Developed nations. Now, modern States under the influence of market forces consider comfort as peace. Worldwide cry for war against terror is a double edged ploy created by the market players. The problems of the state of West Bengal have been further deepened by the pretentious left politics. The left front big brother, the 'Party', in order to silence all dissent voice had been using strong arm tactics. From Marichjhapi to Nandigram the administration faithfully materialized the strong arm policy of the government, from Bijan Setu to Netai the 'Party' meticulously implemented its policy of elimination of opposition. The 'Party' in course of time has become a pot full of poison with a lid of honey (Bisha-kumbha Payomukham). It has spoilt the culture of peace-loving Bengali folk and instead cultivated a politics of Dakhal (absolute domination) through money and muscle. Peace was bought in the left regime through bloodshed or through persecution. The 'Party' resisted even saner people from pursuing peace through dialogue.

Interlocutors had several rounds of talks in Writers' Buildings with the Chief Minister in presence of top state government officials. Apart from the top functionaries of the state administration some senior ministers like Partha Chatterjee, Purnendu Bose and Malay Ghatak, in one meeting or the other, were present. Leaders like Pradip Banerjee and Kalyan Banerjee also participated in the discussions. Many things were discussed in those meetings and meetings lasted for hours. The team had reasons to believe that the Chief Minister was serious in promoting the peace talks. It was decided once that Partha Chatterjee might represent the government in the meeting with the stakeholders to discuss peace and the stakeholders would be given 'safe passage'. Further, it was decided, Partha Chatterjee and other senior ministers might visit jails to talk with detained leaders. All the stakeholders accepted these proposals and welcomed the spirit. Still, peace talks met with several obstacles.

Obstacles
Maoists alleged that the TMC-led 'Bhairab Bahini' like Harmads of the CPI(M) had  been terrorising the people. Some disturbing news indeed came to the knowledge of the team. Interlocutors brought these to the notice of the Chief Minister. She denied and asked the team to give concrete evidence. Maoists requested the team to make enquiries. But, Interlocutors couldn't; as they did not have the infrastructure.

However, it will not be out of place to mention that acts of a section of police embarrassed the team's position as Interlocutors and as members of civil society. In some cases, when peace move was on, police denied some organizations their right to demonstrate, harassed social workers with fabricated allegations. Interestingly, a section of TMC leadership was not satisfied with Interlocutors’ role. They tried to open a parallel channel by instituting a separate committee of interlocutors. But, to their utter dismay neither the Chief Minister nor the major stakeholders approved this move.

A large section of the 'Party' members and sympathizers lined up to join the TMC after the Assembly elections. Under the nose of the new government, the TMC leadership, with the help of the new converts, became super-active to seize (‘Dakhal’ politics) political space in the area totally; factionalism made the problem more complicated. Other political organizations alleged that this was the repeat show of the same tragic drama based on the doctrine practiced in the past by the CPI(M).

Surprisingly, the attitude of the state bureaucrats was very much against the peace move. Lukewarm response from the bureaucrats made the works of Review Committee for Prisoners (undertrials etc.) tough. Recommendations of the Committee, have been coming very slowly and that too did not percolate in time. Consequently, bail petitions of many prisoners were opposed by the public prosecutors at lower courts. It is true that the left front government had amended the relevant rules in such a manner that awarding the status of political prisoner to a person has become cumbersome. But, the rule was not the only hurdle. The bureaucrats practically refused to understand the importance of awarding the status of political prisoners to a person. Some times bureaucrats also spread rumours. Once Interlocutors were told that the Maoists through posters opposed the recruitment in the police department and threatened people of dire consequences, like death sentence. Such posters would give a wrong message to people regarding the governance, the senior bureaucrats claimed. Maoists, though opposed that recruitment proposal, disowned such posters.
Government decided to recruit some eligible persons from Junglemahal in the police department. This decision was heavily criticised and opposed by the rights activists. They compared the move with Salwa Judum of Chhattisgarh.

Their arguments were not tenable, but the state government did not give any serious effort to dispel the apprehensions. One day, Dr Binayak Sen enquired about the status of the peace move. He had a long discussion at this writer's residence. He highly appreciated the peace efforts, the Chief Minister's seriousness regarding peace move apparently convinced him. But Dr Sen expressed his concern over the police recruitment.

As a member of Team Six, this writer must say that inefficiency of bureaucrats and failure of intelligence department are very serious deficiencies. Distinguished political personality Babu Bose was brutally murdered at a marketplace. Interlocutors condemned it in no uncertain terms. But, this incident once again vindicated the weaknesses of the administration. Babu had a chequered political career. He opposed both CPI(M) and the Maoists in his area over a long period. So, it was known to everybody that he was in the Maoists' hit list. One of his close aides was murdered by Maoists. He participated in the first meeting with the team six held at Jhargram to discuss the peace process. Police did not understand the importance of protecting his life. Not even a watcher was posted. Police got the information of his murder after a considerable time and failed to apprehend the culprits.

Murder of Babu and two other important TMC workers by Maoists had almost jeopardized the peace process. Such acts of barbarism were criticized. And Maoists were warned of the consequences. Government was ready to take stern measures including full scale operations. The team somehow managed to diffuse tension. Maoists offered to hold back arms for one month, promised total restraint. They asked the government to declare officially that there would be no joint forces operations. It was known to them and acknowledged by them that except some routine exercises there were no operations, major or minor, and the Chief Minister on many occasions openly declared that her government had practically stalled operations. Asking for official declaration was unnecessary and that was a sign of mistrust.

Apart from the political parties, people's participation should be ensured to bring in peace. People trust Mamata Banerjee, respect her, and love her. People welcomed the development schemes declared by Mamata. But, Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister, has to implement her schemes through the government machinery. People who were tortured and humiliated by this machinery only a few months back had reasons to despise the government offices and officials. Police camps in schools and health centres in many places were still there despite popular objections. Maoists in many places obstructed the functioning of BDO offices and Panchayets.
To remove all such obstacles and to build mutual trust the team on several occasions, requested the government to form a monitoring committee to look into the progress of peace and development works. The government did not agree. Instead of monitoring committee, a very senior officer suggested at the CM's chamber that interlocutors might be asked to campaign in Junglemahal area in favour of the various government schemes. Fortunately, a senior minister immediately rejected the foolish proposal. It just explains the mindset of the bureaucrats. They do not know the history of peace talks, do not care to learn the culture of the people. Ignorance and arrogance prevented them from taking lessons of history and culture.

Anyway, Maoists kept their promises; no untoward incidence took place from 30 Sept to 3rd Nov 2011. During this period the team hoped that the government would open a dialogue with the extremists; they would be invited to the negotiation table. But, that did not happen. And some foul and unpalatable remarks made the situation more complex. Administration read the offer of the Maoists as a retreat of a depleted force and planned to crush them militarily. Suddenly, police attacked Maoists’ hideouts. Maoists retaliated and caused death of innocent people—some sort of substitute killing. Peace process was again halted. A press statement of Maoists questioned the seriousness of the government and effectiveness of the interlocutors. Interlocutors requested the Chief Minister that they might be relieved under the changed situation. But, the Chief Minister insisted that peace process should continue. Rather she prevailed upon the team to continue. As the party supremo she could not tolerate the senseless killings of her party activists, as a humanist she lamented all killings. On the other hand as Chief Minister she with all sincerity was earnestly pursuing the peace. But, a section of the media and government machinery, a section of civil society refused to give her necessary support. They had been continuously spreading rumours and placing hasty demands and making uncharitable irresponsible comments.

Team Six also felt tremendous pressure from all those groups. Since the assumption of the responsibility Interlocutors decided not to open mouth to media, not to write on the subject. But they were continuously pricked by many. In a Bengali daily this writer was painted as "Muchlekar Feriwala" (Hawker of Bonds). Several other concocted stories appeared elsewhere; even a leading newspaper of Bengal gleefully joined the race. It had gone to the extent of holding Interlocutors responsible for the 24 November 2011 incident. Kishenji was killed on that day.

After that incident the team felt that mission failed, there was no reason to continue as Interlocutors. Of course one of the six differed.
Not all quiet on Junglemahal Front

‘Kishenji Khatam’ (Kishenji Eliminated) was the headline of the highest selling Bengali daily on the next day. It clearly vindicates the attitude of the media house controlled by the exponents of free market. The bureaucrats appeared to be happy. They are possibly convinced that the coveted peace has been achieved through state-owned arms. They do not know that bullets can never bring peace. The fight between state-owned arms and arms of the adversaries of the state may continue. But, the lesson of history is loud and clear —neither side can liquidate the other militarily. Ignorance is bliss for the warring camps indeed. Only hapless people have to pay. The Union Home Minister, the torch bearer of the war against terror, the champion of global market strategy, has reasons to be elated. It may be noted that at least four important Maoists could not be released by the state government, despite recommendations of the Review Committee, due to the objections raised by the Union Home Ministry.

People certainly demand that give peace a chance. Unfortunately, the main demands—restoration of honour of the culture of the Adivasi Samaj—are lost in the political hullabaloo. ooo   [abridged]

Frontier
Vol. 45, No. 20, Nov 25-Dec 1, 2012

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