Poverty forces youngsters to join Naxal ranks, says Maoist commander
Gaya:
A Maoist commander has said that poverty is forcing the poor to turn
to become naxalites. Paramjit, a platoon commander of Maoists in Bihar, said until
the Indian Government becomes pro-poor they would continue their fight against
the state. He said utter poverty and illiteracy forced the Maoists to take up
arms. "We never used to get bread, cloth and house. We had no money for treatment.
There is no education for the poor," said Paramjit. Paramjit claimed that the
Maoists are fighting for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers and
in turn the rural people give their support to the cause of rebels. "We like the
locals. They are everything for us," added Paramjit. Paramjit further said that
rebels who have been denied their basic rights are taking them by force. He accused
the Indian security forces for carrying atrocities against the 'poor' and 'helpless'
people. "The three Indian forces, including Air force, Navy and the Army... They
don't respect the poor but only the rich. Though they say India is free and the
army is pro-poor. But it's a mirage. If they were pro-poor why don't they come
to the poor and talk to them and take care of them. Only ten per cent of the population
is rich and capitalist. Security forces guard rich and big people but beat poor
people," said Paramjit. Bihar is one of the five states grappled with Maoists
who force poor people to join their ranks and train them in carrying out hit-and-run
attacks. They even try to carry it forward as a family tradition by teaching their
children the same tactics.
