Since June 2005, the Government of Chhattisgarh, with the support of the Home Ministry has been waging a counter-insurgency operation against the Naxalites in the guise of a ‘spontaneous’, ‘selfinitiated’,’ peaceful’, ‘people’s movement’ named the Salwa Judum in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh. The district administration claims that upset with the Maoist strike call on collecting tendu leaves and opposition to development works like road construction and grain levies, people in some 200 villages began mobilizing against the Maoists, going on processions and holding meetings.
However the fact is that the Salwa Judum is being actively supported by the Chhattisgarh Government. Far from being a peaceful campaign, Salwa Judum ‘activists’ are armed with guns, lathis, axes, bows and arrows. Up to January 2007, 4048 “Special Police Officers” (SPOs) had been appointed by the Government under the Chhattisgarh Police Regulations. They actively participate in the Salwa Judum and are given military and weapons training by the security forces as part of an official plan to create a civil vigilante structure parallel to that of the Naxalites.
Though exact figures are not known, over the last two years, atleast 1, 00,000 people have been displaced and the lives atleast 3, 00,000 people from the 644 “liberated villages” has been completely disrupted, because of Salwa Judum. People are forcibly picked up from their villages and are confined into ‘relief camps’, where they face acute shortage of food, water and other basic amenities. The condition of several thousands who have been forced to migrate to neighbouring states and districts is even worse. All those villages which have not come into camps are deemed “Maoists” villages and denied all health, education and other facilities, including access to markets. A large number of people have thus been denied their fundamental rights
There has been a complete breakdown of civil administration and the rule of law in Dantewada district and Salwa Judum ‘activists’ have become vigilantes who assert the right to control, intimidate and punish anyone they consider to be a suspected Naxalite. Cases of murder, loot, arson, rape and other violence and atrocities by Salwa Judum go unreported. The Government does not accept responsibility for the actions of the Salwa Judum ‘activists’, it sponsors, encourages, promotes and assures them full state protectionand grants them impunity to operate as an extra-legal authority within the district. The Maoists also retaliate with attacks on camps, SPOs and police. According to State government’s own figures, Salwa Judum has only intensified the violence from both sides.
The Government’s only response to Maoist insurgency has been to militatrise; step up police operations and to pit civilians, in the name of Salwa Judum, against Maoists and against each other. By resorting to such measures, the government has seriously challenged the efficacy of democratic and constitutional means of finding solutions to people’s problems. It has completely failed to address the root of the discontent, the deprivation and alienation of Adivasis, which form basis of the Maoist foothold in Dantewara.
Saturday, July 12, 08 at 4:47 pm
With due respect to all those who have lost their life, in the course of Salwa Judum, Iwould like to say that the report is to some extend bias in nature. I belong to a naxalism effected state (Jharkhand.)So I can understand the menace naxalists can do.
Thursday, July 14, 11 at 5:52 pm
abey dhakkan..
Monday, January 19, 09 at 11:36 am
To G.P
Nothing can justify arming children for combat. No menace can be THAT uncontrolable by adults. Adults who manage the State and adults who live in the state.
P.S
I am also from Jharkhand
Sunday, September 27, 09 at 12:00 pm
Hi,
As per my view, the Salwa Judum is a good initiative taken by the Chhattisgarh govt. However, the govt. should check on regular basis the activities of activists of Salwa Judum, to achieve the main motive of this initiative.
Thursday, March 22, 12 at 1:05 am
if some one push you from your house which is native land of your ancestor. Also after this you lost your all belonging and no hope of rehabilitation then what you do.
Friday, October 16, 09 at 2:48 pm
Hi
Salwa Judum, I think, cannot be the alternative
to tackle ‘Naxalites’ or “Maoists” activities. It is imprudent to have introduced or pop up of such a battalion in the guise of civilian. Rather, the elected government should try to understand why all such activists are born and what is their aim. Main thing, is DEVELOPMENT of the region in all respect which the people of the region cherish to keep pace with the modern time.
So, it is wise to defrost Salwa Judum which might in turn become a boomarang to the State officials itself. It is a dangerous game, in otherwords.
Bimal
Tuesday, October 27, 09 at 8:37 pm
Every S.P.O. is not a Salwa-Judum member nor every Salwa-Judum Relief Camp beneficiary is S.P.O.
D.G.P. Viswaranjan Said while making presentation in Berkley university , California on 27th September 2008 .
Nange Paon Satyagrah
Tuesday, October 27, 09 at 8:48 pm
Salwa – Judum camps are relief camps for the victims of the Naxalites’ brutalities. Salwa – Judum is in fact “Response of the Nange Paon (Poor) people of Bastar division” to the violence perpetuated by the naxalites.
One should go to the relief camps, speak to victims and then propagate ones’ notion about any thing or event.
Tuesday, June 29, 10 at 11:36 am
We take weapon on our own people, who wanna fight for their land. Why do the Govt. keeps its ears shut in this.
Tuesday, December 1, 09 at 2:39 pm
everything is not that simple as it seems to be.has anybody ever bothered to think about the fact that these regions have vast natural resources and minerals.no one is trying to see what is happening in the evacuated areas.and how come a state which is built on the fundamentals of non-violence is so much eager to distribute ammunitions ,
they r not even trying to solve all these problems with any alternative method.
Thursday, December 24, 09 at 11:37 pm
We are cross-posting this on our blog. with a link to this post. Hope you do not mind.
Thank you
Monday, June 28, 10 at 11:26 pm
Salwa Judum,
Sure it brings the peace in grave yards…
Friday, August 5, 11 at 10:44 am
DATS SO TRUE…..
Thursday, September 16, 10 at 6:59 pm
as the only reward they bring is due to this the famine walks behind them amonng qalf of te pepple were under nourished and the central gov cant take any action ln it .its not good to thepeopleliving there.
Thursday, July 7, 11 at 8:57 am
to counter violence using violence is not an answer but the government manned by mediocre politicians who are busy filling their coffers can not find a better solution of people’s governance or self rule by the Tribals. Even Naxalism would stop if local governance is given its due place as per the constitutional amendment
Saturday, July 23, 11 at 9:04 pm
hell with the spine less constitution,law & order and justice.
Sunday, July 31, 11 at 7:27 am
SHAME TO HUMAINITY. GOVERNMENT USING MALNOURISHED PEOPLE TO FIGHT NAXALITIES.
Sunday, September 11, 11 at 2:14 pm
Salwa Judum is not a temporary or permanent solution. How it resists the naxalite activities, it is obviously by counter violence, so It creates more and more violence. Movement of Naxal is against this social system and the so called (basically not for the poor) democratic pattern of the Country (top to bottom corruption in which Ministers, Govt. Officials, Corporate Bodies as well as political leaders are directly involved) and their main aim is to be done Socialistic Revolution and for this perspective Government shall firstly try to understand the reasons of movement of the Naxals and make necessary arrangements to take appropriate steps especially for the tribals viz. minimum basic needs of amenities of livelihood with ensuring food, shelter, education, nutrition, treatment etc. for community development as well as all types of infrastructral development with modern technological facilities and keep maintaining their forest rights, protect their culture and custom, social security, security & protection of tribal lands and for this Govt. should have to create the environment of numbers of thorrough discussions not only with the Naxal Leaders & workers (with the help of local NGOs, who work for the poor people of these areas honestly, know their pulse, well conversant with culture, creed, customs etc.) but also the every common people (both men and women with same importance) of these areas, so affected. Continuous visit with direct interaction with the common people of these areas (door to door) by the Government High Officials, Central & State Ministers in order to grow up the confidence of the mass people of these areas, faith, security may be made spontaneously so that the affected people could understand the above stated movement exclusively for favour of them by their Government and able to feel the difference between these movements, which are in favour of them and the naxalite activities.
Wednesday, October 5, 11 at 7:48 pm
naxals movement not true 2 their principle. When civilian dies by naxal then NHRC silent,2 protect their lives what salwa judum does is right.
Wednesday, October 5, 11 at 8:09 pm
naxal movement not 2 change govt. But for the people of poor. But their movment against development is not justified.
Saturday, December 10, 11 at 9:21 pm
Well This Really Shows What A MESSED UP country India truly is. Arming barely literate civilians because the Government cannot defend it’s citizens. What Sort of democracy is that. A government no matter how corrupted it is,
is bound to Protect It’s Tax-Payers. Things Like Salwa Judum is the first sign of a failed state.