PUCL DEPLORES DEATHS OF POLICEMEN IN MAOIST ATTACK AT RAJNANGAON
The killing of 30 policemen in Chhattisgarh by the Indian Maoists has been deplored by the local unit of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties.
The Chhattisgarh Unit of People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has deplored the killings of 30 policemen in Maoist’s attack on 12thJuly 2009 at Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh. The PUCL appeals to the Government, Maoists and Salwa-Judum to put an end to killings and violence and create conducive environment for resolving the issues and concerns through political dialogue and peace talks.
The PUCL pays its homage to all police personnel killed in the attack by Maoists, especially remembering Shri V K Chaubey, Superintendent of Police, Rajnandgaon, who was known for his simple ways and strict discipline. PUCL expresses its condolences and solace to the bereaved families.
PUCL believes in the Right to Life guaranteed under the Indian Constitution and, as such, lives of all citizens are valuable, which should not be taken away either for political or non-political purposes. PUCL has always affirmed its faith in non-violence and peaceful means to resolve differences and problems within the broader framework of the Indian Constitution, and has deplored the militaristic strategies and actions.
Efforts for peace talks have been also made by Sri Sri Ravi Shanker of the Art of Living Foundation, who in September 2008 called on the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Dr. Raman Singh at his residence soon after meeting Dr Binayak Sen, a public health specialist and leader of People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) in the Raipur Central Jail. Later Sri Sri Ravi Shanker met Adv K G Kannabiran, National President of PUCL at Hyderabad, and wrote to Dr. Raman Singh for initiating peace talks. PUCL demands that the CG Government should made public the steps taken in this regard.
PUCL has also demanded from Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, President, Congress (I) to make public the finding of a six-member Task Force constituted by her in October 2004 “to study the problem of “Naxalite” violence in various states; submit a report which would identify factors responsible for the spread of violence and make an assessment of the impact of efforts made by the government to contain it; and will make recommendations on policies, plans and programs for the central and state governments as also for the Congress party”. The Task Force was asked to submit its report within three months and had Sri Sashidhar Reddy from Andhra Pradesh as its Convener, Mr. Ajit Jogi, Mr. Gajendra Singh Rajukheri, Mr. R C Khuntia, Mr. Nikhil Kumar, and Mrs. Manju Hembrom as its members. The Chhattisgarh PUCL had submitted its Memorandum on this issue to the Task Force during its visit to Raipur.
The CG PUCL also demands that the proceedings of the in-camera meeting of the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha held on 26th July 2007 to discuss the issues and concerns arising out of growing activities of CPI (Maoists) in Chhattisgarh should be made public to generate a public debate on it. The CG PUCL considers the in-camera meeting of Vidhan Sabha against the letter and spirit of the Constitution as an institution representing people’s interests and concerns should be transparent and accountable to the public. Making public of the Vidhan Sabha proceedings has become all the more important now as the State Unit of Congress (I) in Chhattisgarh was demanding imposition of President’s Rule in the wake of Rajnandgaon incident.
PUCL also believes that it is no longer a matter between the State and the Maoists, and it should not be left primarily and purely in the hands of the police to deal with it. Other enlightened segments of the society, including intellectuals, various political forums, human rights and social activists must discuss these strategies and agenda for establishing lasting peace, justice and human rights in Chhattisgarh.
(Rajendra K Sail, Dr. Binayak Sen, Vijendra, President, General Secretary, Joint-Secretary)
(Press release; pucl.cg@gmail.com; Raipur, Chhattisgarh, July 14, 2009)