Charkha, Delhi : Newsletter for May – June 2006

‘Strength is Life, Weakness is Death’

It is ironical that while Indian authorities have helped neighbouring country Nepal to put at least a temporary end to the violent struggle of Maoist groups under the leadership of Prachanda, in India hapless civilians continue to suffer in about one third part of the country. The official statistics suggest Maoists or Naxalites (as they are known in some parts of the country) are carrying out their armed operations in about 170 districts of the country.

Growing number of maimed adults, orphaned children and an environment enveloped by fear psychosis in these areas is yet to draw the attention of the mainstream media. Maoist violence and retaliation by the state fails to distinguish innocent civilians from criminal elements.

We, as a civil society, have failed miserably to take notice of the trauma faced by the poor and the marginalized sections of the society which are worst affected from this spate of violence. The death like silence is deafening. It must be broken. Swami Vivekananda had said once, “Strength is Life, Weakness is death.” Let us ensure that our society is strong enough to take care of the affected people in the Maoist violence as development schemes are bound to take back seat till the violence ends in Naxal dominated areas.

Arun Anand
Consulting Editor

Email – charkha@bol.net.in