Maoist victims protest at Jantar Mantar, want nation to take notice

Scores of persons affected by the simmering Maoist militancy took part in a protest march at the Jantar Mantar here on Sunday to urge the government to provide them with adequate compensation and jobs.

The victims of Maoist violence from the Naxal-affected states of Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar, Chattisgarh, assembled for candle light march to raise their demands to government of India.

Holding posters in their hands, the protestors raised anti-Maoist slogans in the wake of the atrocities and fear spearheaded by the ultras. They also raised slogans like ''Naxal Bharat Choro''.
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Asit Singh Patro, a resident of Jharkhand''s Seraikela-Kharsawan District, who took part in the protest, said the people have now understood the motives of the Maoists and will no longer bow down to their demands.
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"We have been facing Maoist atrocities for the past many days. The Maoists forcefully have food at our place and pressurise us to join them in their movement. They sometimes even use us to get their levies. We have now understood their motives and woken up. There has been a Jan Andolan there eventually from December 25, 2009 and a new committee has been formed. The name of the Committee is ''Dalma Anchalik Suraksha Samiti''," said Pastro.
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"We want the Maoists to go away from our areas. We appeal to the government to give us government compensation and jobs. We want the government to pay heed to our demands and re-think about us. We are demanding Rs. five lakhs as compensation per family and a job. Now, the government has given Rs. one lakh as compensation in West Singhbhum District, but no job has been provided," he added.
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Meanwhile, an extremely upset Pushpa from Chhattisgarh''s Dantewada District said the ultras killed her son for she was an Anganwadi Worker.
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"Seven Naxalites invaded my house on September 30, 2010 and killed my son Kapil Kumar while he was asleep. Today, I am no longer engaged in Anganwadi, but they have demolished my entire house. I am now residing at Jagdalpur in a rented house for Rs.2000. My financial situation is so bad that I am unable to pay the rent of the house," she added.
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The protestors complained that the Maoists pressurise the people to join their movement for their own benefits, and kill all those who disobey the orders.
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"They asked us to join their movement by luring us with money, but since our conscience did not allow we did not adhere to their diktat. They also tried to bribe our morals with money, but we did not give in, after which they killed my husband," said Jamuna Kisko, a resident of Jharkhand''s East Singhbhum District.
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"The Maoists asked my brother to give up his job in the state police, but when he denied group of 10 to 12 rebels stormed into the house, dragged him outside the village and slit his throat. This incident occurred on the night of January 01, 2000, after which they also threatened to kill my father. Since June 2004, we are living in Mosabani and have not received any compensation or job in the name of my deceased brother," added Kachhahe Soren, a resident of Mosabani in Jharkhand''s East Singhbhum District.

Meanwhile, Ranjit Sinha, former advisor to Jharkhand Chief Minister, addressing the gathering said: "We all show concern towards the civilian casualty but we should not ignore the casualty of the armed forces. The national human right commission must become sensitive towards this."

The victims of Naxal violence are also expected to hold a rally tomorrow to voice their demands, which will also be addressed by some Honorable Members of Parliament and other leaders from the Naxal-affected regions of India.

The tussle for power by the Maoists has led to a virtual breakdown of state-machinery in the villages of insurgency-hit regions, with many locals reeling under abject poverty and violence.
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Maoists have of late significantly increased their presence in tribal and rural regions in Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Orissa, as well as the central state of Chhattisgarh.
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Stating that the Naxals are the worst violators of human rights, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram had earlier said that the people at large need to understand that the rebels are involved in widespread cases of human rights violation.
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Despite strong initiatives taken by the Centre, the Maoist insurgency has gripped nearly one-third of the country, spreading into the interiors of 20 states of the country.