Bastar Maoist violence victims have leveled serious allegations against Vice Presidential candidate Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy. The victims claim that his decision led to the end of Salwa Judum and gave free rein to the Maoists. They appeal to the MPs not to support him.
New Delhi: Maoist violence victims from Bastar have made a significant accusation against Vice Presidential candidate Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy. The victims state that a Supreme Court decision made by him left the tribals of Bastar helpless in the face of Maoists. Now, the same person has been made a candidate for the second highest office in the country, which the victims have questioned.
Letter Written to MPs
The violence victims of Bastar have written a letter to all the MPs. They say that due to Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy's decision, the Salwa Judum movement was stopped, and Maoists got free rein.
According to the victims, Salwa Judum was the Bastar tribals' own movement. This movement was started by people troubled by Maoist violence to end the terror spread in Bastar. But in 2011, the Supreme Court declared this movement illegal and stopped it. After this, the Maoists started attacking the tribals who were associated with Salwa Judum.
Violence Increased After Salwa Judum Was Shut Down
Siyaram Ramteke, former Deputy Sarpanch of Chargao in Kanker district of North Bastar, wrote in his letter that the Salwa Judum movement had spread awareness against Maoism among the tribals. But as soon as the Supreme Court closed it down, the Maoists became dominant again.
Siyaram Ramteke himself was a victim of Maoist violence. He mentioned in the letter that while working in the field, the Maoists surrounded him. They shot one bullet in his leg and three bullets in his stomach and left him, thinking he was dead. He somehow survived, but thousands of people were killed in this violence or were crippled for life.
Appeal from the People of Bastar
Siyaram Ramteke says that if Salwa Judum had not been banned in 2011, Maoist violence could have ended in Bastar long ago. He has appealed to the MPs not to put such a person in the post of Vice President, who has rendered the people of Bastar helpless in the face of Maoist violence.
Painful Story of Victims of Sukma
Ashok Gandami, a resident of Bhimapuram in Sukma district, also wrote a letter to the MPs expressing his pain. He said that after Salwa Judum was closed, Maoists wreaked havoc on his family.
His niece Madkam Sukki's father was murdered by Maoists. After this, Sukki lost a leg in an IED explosion planted by Maoists. Ashok Gandami says that if Salwa Judum had not been closed, his family would probably not have reached this condition.
Questions on Congress Too
The victims have also raised questions on Congress. They say that with what message are Congress and its senior leaders making such a person a candidate for the post of Vice President, whose decision has only benefited the Maoists and given pain to the tribals?
The Old Pain of Maoist Violence is Still Alive Today
In many villages of Bastar, people associated with the Salwa Judum movement are still living with their wounds. Some have lost their families, while others have been crippled. The victims say that the Supreme Court's decision left them vulnerable to Maoist violence, and now the same person is being nominated for one of the highest positions in the country.
Appeal to MPs
The victims of Bastar have appealed to the MPs to listen to the voice of the people of Bastar. They say that there should not be a person in a position like Vice President whose decision has handed over the tribals to Maoist violence.
