Govt responsible for spawning of Maoists: Milli Panda

BHUBANESWAR: “The Government has created Maoist factory in State. Frustrated and harassed common people, due to negligence and exploitation by the police and other Government officials in the tribal areas, support Maoists to fight against injustice and this support inspires Maoists to fight against the Government,” said Milli alias Subhashree Panda in a discussion on ‘Maoist problem in State and its solution’ here on Monday.

Milli said the abduction drama will continue unless until the Government does not stop its autocratic and lackadaisical attitude towards fulfilling the genuine demands of Maoists. So, the Government should keep the dialogue process on with the Maoists to create a congenial atmosphere to bring them into the mainstream of the society, but the Government should frame a peace policy first to start mutual discussion to address their problems, she added.

“We also need a solution to the Maoists problem, but Government at first solve the major problems like land problem and liquor business from the tribal areas and provide free access to health facilities, education and other infrastructure development works in the area,” she said.

Participating in the debate, Lok Shakti Abhiyan convener Prafulla Samantara said the pent-up anger of exploited and harassed common people gradually loses faith on administrative system of the Government and later it inspires them to support Maoists. Alleging frontal organisations of Maoists, the Government is creating conspiracy to ban the tribal democratic organisations to suppress their voice against exploitation by Government officials, which is an anti-democratic attitude of any Government, he added.

While, former MP Anadi Sahu said the Maoists are taking benefits by playing the cards of social problem and injustice. Some Maoists have taken this protracted revolution as way of life, but it is possible to bring the Maoists into mainstream of the society, he added.

Columnist Sudarshan Das said the Government should give respect to the opinion of the people and should provide a democratic space to ventilate their voice. Administrative reform is the need of the hour as corruption paralysed the parts of the Government system, he added.

Leader of anti-liquor campaign in western Odisha Snehalata Patel said the rebellion emerges due to social indifference. Now the people with power are looting the State, for their self they can do everything by neglecting common people.

Journalist Rajaram Satpathy presiding over the discussion said the system could not be changed by violence. Some groups came forward to change the system with gun point, but is it possible in a democratic country, he added.

Finally, all the participants of the discussion opined that the Government should start dialogue process and frame a policy for the settlement of the problem because Maoist problem is a major constraint in the socio-economic development of the Maoist infested areas in the State.