Medha to Maoists: leave violence, join with us to fight for people

BHUBANESWAR: Environmentalist Medha Patkar called upon the Maoists to leave extremism and to join in their people’s movement to demand our rights in a non-violence way. No one can bring people’s Government through violence means and the Maoists could not solve the problems of the peoples in this way, Patkar said to the Press persons during the State-level meet of the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) here on Saturday.

“Due to the violence in Maoist infested areas, the innocent tribals face many problems from military forces as recently we have seen in Chhattishgarh massacre,” said Patkar adding, “We have to keep the tribal spirit up to take part in the mass movement for the national movement to bring change in the lives of exploited and poor tribals. We have to empower the tribals and to encourage them to fight for their rights in a democratic way.” If the Maoists fight for tribal’s rights and dignity, they can join in the movement by leaving their arms and ammunition, Patkar added.

Is there any change came in the status of the Maoists by killing military forces along with police and abducting the leaders or bureaucrats, Patkar questioned. “If the people of the three States would raise voice unitedly in democratic and non-violence means for their legitimate rights, the Government do respect the voices of the majority,” she added.