Disclaimers
1. I was reluctant to write on this topic because I don’t BS in my writings and speaking truth about this topic is full of thorns.
2. I am an #AntiNationalHumanist; therefore, I have no bias for the state or against naxals and vice versa.
3. I condemn the killing of the CRPF jawans but am not sure if it is violation of their right to life because the soldiers relinquish their right to life on joining forces. Ditto for naxals.

Undisputed Fact

In the context of the Sukma attack by naxals, it is an undisputed fact that certain areas in India are not under the control of the state, and it is trying hard to regain control of these areas. The area where this attack on CRPF personnel took place is also one such area in the Bastar region of India. For all practical purposes, naxals run the government there.

The Context of Sukma Attack by Naxals

It is extremely unfortunate that some people have to become soldiers. Nations are to be entirely blamed for it. It is true that even if there were no nations, some belligerent members of the society would have taken up arms and suppressed the weaker sections. However, the growth of nations and the access to sophisticated technology has led to militarism. This has made preparation for a war a full-time job for some unfortunate members of the society. These people end up living an extremely subordinate existence under an illusion of service to the nation.

Militant rebels also have soldiers, who live even more desperate lives. For example, the average comfort in the life of a militant naxal is nowhere compared to the comforts enjoyed by an Indian soldier. An Indian soldier also gets far more respect from people. Naxals must be having a very strong conditioning program, else it’s not understandable why anybody should bear so much discomfort in life.

Sukma Attack by Naxals: The Damage

As per media reports, around 25 CRPF personnel have been killed in the attack. Though CRPF claims many naxals were also killed, but since there are no official numbers, nothing can be said with surety. This is because naxals have not released any numbers, and Indian media hardly has any access to naxals otherwise. Naxals are guerrilla fighters and surprise element is an essential feature of their military strategy. So, it is possible they didn’t suffer casualties contrary to the CRPF’s claim. However, I am least interested in numbers. What I am more interested in is the loss of lives, for which I first need to establish the locus standi of the Indian state in that region.

Locus Standi of India in Bastar

India claims territorial jurisdiction over Bastar region under Indian Constitution. However, at the same time, it grants special status to the region as that of a tribal area. This status is actually a paternalistic grant trying to reconcile the long-standing conflict of the tribals with the Britishers. But the grant failed as it was a mere window dressing. The Indian government did nothing different, and the conflict continued unabated even after Independence.

Then naxals took over. India may want to claim that naxals have misled the tribals, but the reality is different. Naxals have only provided a framework to the tribal unrest. If what the author has written in the book The Burning Forest is to be believed, it took naxals years of struggle to gain the trust of the tribals. But, of course, now naxals are their masters. Whatever the system, it has provided a comfortable inertia to both the parties.

The above inertia is being attempted to be disturbed by India by building roads in the area, which naxals despise as it affects their control over the tribals. Also, eventually India would like to exploit the area for mining. This might not be in the best interest of the tribals — though it’s a different matter that naxals also allow mining in the area, albeit at a subdued level. So, that’s how India derives its locus standi. It promises better future to the tribals through development of the region. And better profits to the big business through exploitation of natural resources.

India Versus Naxals

To assert its locus standi, India has to eliminate naxals. This is a simple war of might. India with far greater might was changing the inertia, and naxals retaliated in guerrilla style to safeguard their status. I hardly have anything to chose between the two warring entities. Certainly, I would like peaceful negotiations between the state and the rebels, but where is the scope for it when their interests are so much at divergence with each other. If this conflict is so inevitable, there will also be some bloodshed, however much we may despise it. Sometimes, it would be naxals, at other times, it would be Indian soldiers.

WTF! Why have I wasted one and a half hours in the wee hours of the morning (3.45AM to 5.15 AM to be precise) to write this! This is what abrupt waking up from sleep does to you . You start wasting time on non-events. I hope I would not wake up again in the middle of the night like this. Good Night (or Good Morning, if you are already awake)!