NOV 13 - Designed to contain the Maoist insurgency, the latest move to set up “rural volunteer security groups and peace committees” cannot be taken lightly. The move has already generated “objection” from a human rights group. Amnesty International (AI) has termed it a “dangerous” step that could lead to rampant abuses of human rights in the name of fighting the Maoists. AI made it clear that the formation of such a volunteer force violates the 1949 Geneva Convention and cited incidents of human rights abuses in Guatemala.
Last week, the Thapa government unveiled the 15-point development strategies, with a special reference to a civil-military campaign to tackle the seven-year-long Maoist conflict. The government has not spelt out the mechanism to form the volunteer force at village levels. If the government thinks that the use of force can end the conflict, then it must give a second thought before it is too late. Allowing such a force will only provoke the Maoists and escalate violence.
Since the breakdown of truce, the Prime Minister has made it clear, time and again, that he would use force instead of finding a negotiated settlement with the Maoists. Does the government really think that a volunteer force is needed at a time when most parts of the country are under the Maoist control? Shouldn’t the formation of such a force have come up voluntarily in the Maoist-hit villages rather than “forcing” it from the top?
A few countries have introduced such a volunteer force in order to maintain peace and security, which indirectly helped the administration. India has, for instance, introduced a village volunteer force especially in the northeast states to contain the ongoing insurgency. But it has not been successful in fulfilling the initial purpose of the government—in maintaining peace and security—since most “volunteers” deserted the force after completing the training period.
Given the raging conflict, the government’s move to set up and deploy the volunteer force is not feasible. The nature of the Maoist conflict is different from that of other insurgencies. The origin of Maoist insurgency is rooted in poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. The government must, therefore, pay attention to addressing the economic problems of the Maoist-affected districts, instead of going for a measure as provocative as forming a volunteer force.Posted on: 2003-11-12 09:28

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