Maoist opposition to NCTC is nothing new, say experts

New Delhi, May 11 (ANI): Naxals have called for a nation-wide shutdown on May 16 to protest against the proposed National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), the continuance of anti-Maoist operations and the creation of an army training camp in Chhattisgarh. This has been criticised by experts.

"Anything that purports to strengthen the government is bad because their whole purpose is to weaken the government. They believe that the proposed NCTC will impact the security forces functioning in the region. So they are opposing it on the standard grounds that it is civil oppressive, etc. but it is the same age-old Maoist rhetoric," said Dr. Ajai Sahni, the Founding Member and Executive Director of the Institute for Conflict Management.

The Centre is working towards building a consensus with state governments to launch a new counter-terrorism body to fight against anti-national elements.

Eighty three districts in nine states in India are severely affected by the Maoist-led insurgency and this has motived the government to form the NCTC to curb the menace.

The CPI (Maoist) in a release claimed that NCTC could be used against those fighting for self-determination and the right to secession, particularly the Maoist movement.

Experts say the Maoists are waging a war against the Indian state. It is a war against democracy, against the rule of law and against freedom.

"Of the thousands and thousands they have killed, how many are actually the so-called class enemies. And even that class enemies are petty traders, moneylenders who are by all standards poor. The policemen they kill are poor. The civilians who get killed are mostly tribal. Maoist methods are extremely violent and they are violent against the same constituency, which they claim to be representing. They have not disrupted the industries in the region; instead they have just demanded ransoms", added Sahni.

Backed by China and funded by Pakistan, the Maoists in India are trying to create economic, social and political instability.

They are involved in killings, kidnappings and hampering development in almost 9 states including Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. (ANI)