Defeat the Design:

March 19/2012: The abduction of two Italian tourists has turned the spotlight on Maoists in the State. For the first time they took two foreigners as hostage, probably knowing full that they would get a lot more mileage out of it as Italy brings pressure on the Government to get their release as quickly as possible. The unfortunate killing of two fishermen off the Kerala coast by marines on an Italian ship and the diplomatic flurry that followed last month are fresh in the minds of everyone. If the Maoists have thought that by abducting foreigners there is a possibility of their cause getting wider international exposure, they have achieved that limited objective. Italy is already in overdrive to get their two citizens released unharmed, as their Consul General came calling on the Chief Minister and government officials. In a quick response, the Centre responded positively to the call of the rebels to stop all operations against them by the security forces as one of the pre-conditions for release of the hostages.

Earlier, the bulk of the Maoist cadres in the state used to be made up of local youth. Over the years, this character has changed as most of the cadres in the state now are non-Oriyas. Against the background of weakened and splintered Dalams, the Left Wing Extremists (LWEs) and their so-called leaders might be finding it difficult to assert their hegemony. It is with this survival instinct in mind that the likes of Sabyasachi Panda are desperately pinning their hopes on negotiations. They are not revolutionaries of the Che Guevara or Mao Zedong genre who never asked for any concessions from any administration. The government should, therefore, desist from falling into the trap laid by the Maoists.The way the Italian tourists went on a tour of the Ganjam-Kandhamal border areas without seeking any permission of the administration is an indication of their disdain for the laws of the country.

Following the recent international sensation created by video shooting by foreign tourists involving nude Jarwa tribals, the Orissa Government issued strict guidelines regarding tourist activities in the tribal dominated areas of the State. Unfortunately, whether it is private tour operators or the police, nobody seems much concerned about following or enforcing those guidelines. The consequences are now there for everyone to see. Differing reports are appearing in the media about the abduction of the Italian tourists. Last year, the abduction of then Malkangiri District Collector Vineel Krishna had elicited considerable media attention. At the time the Maoists had put forward many demands including irrigation projects in the area. Clearly it was a twin ploy by the Maoists of flexing their muscles as well as publicising themselves as people-centric idealists. That once he was set free, Vineel promptly ran away to a convenient posting at Delhi is another matter.

The way the bureaucratic machinery bent over backwards to concede the demands to save one of their own, it became clear to the Maoists that abduction of ordinary people would not help serve their purpose. To invite instant attention of both the State and Central Governments as well as publicity in the media, it was far more effective to abduct an IAS or an IPS officer or some such VIP. At the same time, the Maoists would have also realised that antagonising the bureaucracy repeatedly would have defeated their purpose, for no Government can do anything in this country if the bureaucrats do not want it or rally against it. Various Maoist groups are losing popularity, perhaps because it has become increasingly difficult for them to provide to the people at the grassroots level the kind of justice they profess. Under the circumstances, it would help if they can reassert their presence through statements and opinions in the media.

The abduction of the two foreigners, in that sense, has succeeded amply. The Maoists have adopted the strategy especially because such an incident has the potential to create a stir at the international level. Sonia Gandhi herself being of Italian origin, the Union Home Ministry seems predictably very active on the issue. If the Maoists kill the tourists, their crime would remain forever unpardonable. That therefore cannot be their intentions. On the other hand they could help bring about a great deal of change for the upliftment of the oppressed masses at the level of tehsils and blocks, whether in police stations or hospitals. But for that to happen a different mindset is needed. They do not seem to want to eliminate corruption and herald a new social order.

The realistic Maoists seem to want to find a place in the wagon instead of go on pulling the rein. To go on detaining the foreign tourists for long would surely tarnish their image. If the Government deals with the abduction dispassionately, it would make matters better. Instead of belting out 20 bulletins a day, the Government could act smart and completely ignore any further dialogue. This would compel the media to go slow on reporting. Without media reporting and Government attention, the LWEs’ pressure tactic would hold no water. If foreign governments wish to get involved they should be asked to stay calm. The moment the Italians are released, they should be promptly arrested and tried for trespass and also for running a travel agency in the country without permits, floating all norms.