PUCL Condemns Killing of Police Inspector

Delhi/Jamshedpur: PUCL (People’s Union for Civil Liberties) has condemned the killing of the inspector of Special Branch (Jharkhand). In a press statement the national general secretary of PUCL, Pushkar Raj, says: PUCL strongly condemns the brutal killing of the police officer by the alleged naxalites in Jharkhand. It is an unacceptable act of gravest human rights violation by the people who claim to work for the down trodden and poor. It is a long standing firm belief of PUCL that violence in any form can never be a means to achieve any end howsoever grand that might be. There is no place for such mindless violence in a democratic state and society that India is.

PUCL also watches with pain the fight between security forces and Maoists in some parts of Chattisgarh and elsewhere in the country. While it is a clear case of war against one’s own people by the state, Maoists too with adoption of violent means of struggle has undermined the liberal and democratic spirit of the Indian Constitution. While innocent civilian are losing lives, the ongoing mindless fight between the two parties is a clear case of impasse in which there is and will be no winner.

PUCL believes that the Indian state must address the root causes of the social and economic conditions that breed insurgency like situation where in a group of people is compelled to take arms against the state. Clearly this kind of insurgency breeds because of violation of basic human rights of the people. The mindless vested class centric development and consequent displacement and impoverishment of tribals must stop. The tribals must get adequate opportunities for means livelihood, education and health. On the other hand the Maoist must desist from using violent means of struggle that causes severe misery and deaths of the tribals on whose name they unleash the violence in turn harming the hapless innocent people. One must bear in mind that in a democratic country the ends achieved through the violence means are neither desirable nor lasting. The only way for a harmonious solution of the present deadlock is negotiations between the two parties. The Indian government must reverse its stand of crushing Maoist through military means and must engage them in a dialogue.

Now that Indian state has captured one of the senior ideologue of the insurgent groups, PUCL appeals to the government of India and insurgents that channels of negations between the two parties must be explored and an honourable solution to the ongoing violent struggle is sought to the mutual satisfaction of the both parties. Maoist must come forward and negotiate with the government for legitimate rights of the downtrodden people for whom they supposedly are fighting.

President of JHARKHAND PUCL, S.Bhattacharjee adds:
There is no complete authentic analysis. But whatever data available with us and covered by media, shows beyond doubt that much more innocent people have been so far killed, maimed, tortured and disapeared by the unnecessary, deliberate and cruel violent acts of the security forces in Jharkhand and in other disturbed areas in India. NHRC receives almost 1 lakh complaints every year. Why 50% of them are against police forces? They kill people in fake encounters with full impunity. In Jharkhand villagers look upon the police forces as their tomentor. Police has no capability and even moral to fight Maoists. It is again a big question why Maoists are growing ? It is no undeniable fact that there is certainly some mass support for them. And the support is coming from deprived and poorest section of people. They have suffered throughout their lives in generations. Maoists are capitalising their discontent as no other forces operating in this neglected areas here politically. No political party in Jharkand raise their voice when police kill people in fake encounters or bring reprssion on the villagers, particlarly tribals in large scale. Earlier their was one upmanship amongst the leaders of the political parties to rush to condemn the Maoist voilence after each and every heinous crime committed by the Maoists.Now look what is happening ? Has any leader of any political paty in Jharkhand condemned the brutal killing of Inspector Francis Indawar? NO. Because these leaders ( most of them are corrupt , having money power from the loot of Govt. fund) will unable to enter the villages for vote campaign. There are many areas in almost in every Districts of Jharkhand known in Maoist term as “Liberated Zones.”

In such situation PUCL and other responsible Human Rights organisations can only provide sensible voice and also can show the right path.

You have rightly pionted out that the Government and Maoists should have dailogue. Due to the sincere effort of Mr. Sankaran (Rtd. IAS) and our Mr Kannabiran, both side in Andhra Pradesh came in the negotiation table. That yielded some good result. Why not Govt.of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh take such move to start dailogue. We can also think of extending our cooperation in this matter.

We want Rule of law to prevail. We appeal to the Government to stop state repression. We appeal to Maoists to stop violent activities. We want a pro people program to be implemented and there should be good Governace free from corruption.

“We the People of India have solemnly resolved to constitute a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular Democratice Republic and to secure to to all its citizens- Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.”