Anti-Maost counterinsurgency? Adivasis being wrongly targeted in Chhattisgarh: Gandhian activist

By Harsh Thakor*

At a recent convention organised by the Democratic Front Against Operation Greenhunt in Bathinda, Gandhian activist Himanshu Kumar expressed concerns regarding the transfer of natural resources to corporate and multinational entities. Speaking to attendees, he outlined what he described as the underlying causes of the conflict involving Adivasi communities, the nature of the state's response, its effects, and potential broader consequences. Since March 22nd, Kumar has been conducting a state-wide campaign across Punjab to raise awareness on these issues.

The gathering at Dehbhgat Memorial Hall included individuals from various democratic and revolutionary backgrounds. The event was held in memory of Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt’s 1929 bombing of the Punjab Assembly.

Speakers at the convention included Dr. Jagjeet Cheema, Pirtipal Singh, Mangat Rai, Buta Singh Mehmoodpur, and Jaswinder Singh.

Kumar alleged that the central government, led by the BJP, is facilitating the extraction of forests, water, and other natural resources by private interests, leading to the displacement of Adivasi populations. He called for broader public involvement in opposing what he termed corporate-driven policies.

He further argued that the impacts of such policies may not remain limited to tribal regions like Chhattisgarh but could extend to other areas, including Punjab. According to Kumar, failing to resist these developments could result in wider social and environmental harm.

Kumar described the ongoing situation in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, as a conflict marked by state-backed repression, including military operations and surveillance, which he claims began around 2005. He referenced reports of violence, including killings and assaults on civilians.

He also criticised existing laws, claiming they favour the interests of the ruling class and corporate entities. He accused both the BJP and Congress parties of aligning with corporate interests in resource-related matters.

During his address, Kumar argued that Adivasis have been wrongly targeted under the pretext of counterinsurgency efforts against Maoists. “This war against our own people may not remain confined to Bastar's forests. It could surface in other regions such as Punjab under the guise of development,” Kumar stated.

The meeting concluded with remarks from Dr. Jagjeet Cheema, Pirtipal Singh, Mangat Rai, Buta Singh Mehmoodpur (Convenor of the Democratic Front Against Operation Greenhunt), Jaswinder Singh, and Gurmeet Kotli.

Campaign across Punjab

Before addressing the Bathinda convention, Kumar undertook a campaign across Punjab from March 22 to April 8, organized by the Democratic Front Against Operation Green Hunt. The campaign aimed to raise awareness about alleged human rights violations in tribal areas, including extrajudicial killings and displacement, attributed to security operations under the Indian government's development policies. Kumar addressed various public gatherings in regions such as Khatkar Kalan, Talwandi Salem, Amritsar, Hussainiwala, Hoshiarpur, Patiala, Chandigarh, Barnala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, ending at Bathinda. He engaged with a diverse cross-section of society, including students, academics, and grassroots activists.

During these events, Kumar criticized the government's anti-Naxalite strategies, particularly "Operation Kagar," alleging that it has led to extensive violence in tribal regions, including approximately 400 extrajudicial killings in Chhattisgarh since January 2024. He argued that these policies prioritize corporate interests over the rights of tribal communities and warned of the potential spread of such operations to other areas like Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh. He emphasized that state repression, rather than insurgent movements, has fueled unrest and that the state has avoided dialogue in favor of militarization.

Kumar alleged that legal institutions are failing to hold the government accountable, citing dismissed petitions and penalties imposed on complainants. He asserted that peaceful resistance is being criminalized, with activists and dissenters facing imprisonment.

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*Independent journalist

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