Grant Them Liberty

Let us stay focused on the Maoist-Naxalite uprising, this sudden civil war. There is news of fresh violence – the killing of 4 more cops. This report also quotes the Maoist leader, Kishanji, as saying: “…the war is on. We will win the war. Let the Centre deploy as many forces they want,"

There is another news report on what West Bengal’s communist chief minister, buddhudeb, had to say, for these cops were killed shortly after his 2-day visit to West Midnapore, the district where all the rebel action is. He wants to “target Maoists at full-tilt and push ahead with development projects in the tribal belt.” This is the famous “carrot & stick” the editors of the Times of India recently advocated. I had discussed the errors in such thinking in this post.

What is worth noting is this para from the ToI report today:

On the second day of his visit to Midnapore, Bhattacharjee on Sunday prepared ‘‘a blueprint for offensive’’ with senior officials of the Maoist-affected districts of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura, ruling out any talks till they drop arms.

Actually, all these “senior officials” have lost their civic authority long ago. Some years back, maybe a decade ago, I met an IAS officer who served as District Magistrate in one of these places. He told me that his writ did not run beyond the gates of his colonial bungalow. There has been a complete breakdown in the civil administration. And what is buddhudeb’s solution?:

NO TALKS.

Just ask the State cops to shoot the fuckers, and dole out more and more of our money to the DMs to spend on “development.”

What an idea, Sirjee.

This is a repeat of Kashmir, of Manipur.

Perpetual internal wars.

And note that the scandal over the Jharkhand CM’s corruption involved mining licenses – once again a negation of Property. Jharkhand is where a police inspector was beheaded. I discussed mining here.

How does the average adivasi view the police? My uncle once told me the story of how he had a tough time obtaining mahua in one of these jungles – because, seeing his big, burly frame, all the forest-dwellers mistook him for a cop. Mahua is a spirit distilled from a jungle flower of the same name. It is an excellent drink. It is illegal – and the only economic activity allowed is mining, for which State cops are used to take over tribal lands.

Cops are not liked too much in these forests. And as for forest guards, the less said the better. Of course, cops are not liked too much in Delhi either.

There comes a time when a huge big State loses its legitimacy completely. This is one such moment. Things have come to such a sorry pass only because the personnel of our The State have persisted in doing wrong things, thinking the people will never revolt. Hubris.

I suggest that Kishanji instruct buddhudeb to withdraw ALL his forces and the ENTIRE district administration from West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia. Let these districts be free so that the people can set up their own institutions of local self-government.

Self-rule will bring about peace, and without peace The Market cannot function, so no “development” can ever be possible in a war zone. Keep that in mind. Also note that there cannot be a “civil government” unless the natural order prevails, for such a government exists only to “maintain the peace,” not to “establish” it. That is the task of “politics” – but then I repeat myself.