Implementation of the Agreement between Mediators and Orissa Government essential to address the present stalemate

It has been more than a month (around 40 days) ever since the hostage crisis of Malkangiri Collector and Junior Engineer resulted in the discussions between the Government of Orissa and the Mediators delegated by the CPI (Maoist) ensuring the safe release of both. The discussions between the mediators and the Government of Orissa had also reached certain agreements which were, in letter and spirit, to be respected by both the parties. But it is with great concern that we would like to draw your attention to the fact that the Government of Orissa is yet to respond to the need to expedite the demands. It should be noted that any concerted action towards implementing the agreed points would lead to a renewed faith in the process of dialogue and discussion as a way towards addressing and meeting with the outstanding grievances of the affected people of Orissa. But the perceived diffidence on the side of the government betrays any confidence towards meeting systematically all the demands that have been agreed upon by both the parties. Instead one is afraid to mention that the Government of Orissa is yet to demonstrate the much needed seriousness on its commitment as is evident from the unfolding events in the areas where the Adivasis and other affected people have been struggling for their right to livelihood.

It was very clearly mentioned in the signed agreement that there would not be any combing operations unless and until there is any provocation from the side of the CPI (Maoist). Instead of respecting this important coordinate of the agreement the Government and the security forces have gone unabated with the combing operations. This has further complicated the atmosphere as all instruments towards building any kind of confidence among the aggrieved sections on the need to sit with the administration and its representatives to deliberate and thrash out a dignified way of addressing the issues are facing the danger of being aborted even before it is taken up. That there is a corresponding lack of political will on the side of the government to prevail upon the police, paramilitary and security forces to refrain them from combing operations is reflective of the numerous instances of violations that have been reported by mass media and fact finding reports of independent and civil rights sources in the last forty days.

It is unreasonable on the side of the Government that has agreed upon the release of about 627 tribals who have been kept in various prisons in Orissa to further go on arresting more and more tribals under one pretext or the other. As a matter of principle and committed to the agreement that was reached upon, the mediators have time and again been reminding the government about the need to expedite the demands at the earliest. And in pursuance of this Prof. Radha Mohan and Sudhakar Patnaik had approached on behalf of the mediators at the behest of the government. But it should be made clear that the primary effort of the government is to ensure the release of all these prisoners and not to indulge in piecemeal measures of withdrawing all cases of petty crimes. It goes without saying that a vast majority of the prisoners in the jail are slapped with various sections of the IPC which may not come under the category of petty crimes, although all are political offences. Under the demand of the release of political prisoners, the Government of Orissa is yet to write to the Government of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh regarding the release of Sheela Didi @ Bodhini Munda who is lodged in Giridih jail in Jharkhand and Padma @ Shirisha in Jagdalpur prison in Chhattisgarh.

Another outstanding demand that will have major ramifications in the lives of the affected people is the distribution of land in the region of Narayanpatna. Land, as one may appreciate, is central while addressing any question pertaining to livelihood of the vast majority of the affected people in these areas. And any lasting solution of peace with justice cannot ignore this vital question. Any effort towards resolving the crisis of development/displacement will have to factor in the aspirations of the people as they are and should be the natural custodians of development that will positively contribute to the manifold dimensions of human potential.

(Author, a Human Rights Activist, was one of the three members mediated between Maoists and the Orissa Government for release of abducted Malkangiri Collector Vineel Krishna)

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