Out of War: Voices of Surrendered Maoists
Author: Swati Sengupta
Publisher: Speaking Tiger
Pages: 267
Price: Rs. 350
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had earlier said,” Naxalism remains the biggest internal security challenge and it is imperative to control left-wing extremism for the country’s growth.” Words like Naxalism, Naxalites, and Maoists are often used without knowing fully but it generates thrill & romanticize some and it also creates fear among many. They are treated either as hero or villain. Naxalites or Maoists gets wide coverage in the media when they kill security personals or some political leaders or ‘informers’. People are also curious to know how they live in forests, what kind of relationships senior leaders have with foot soldiers, does women are treated equally? The thinking of the present government is not different from what Manmohan Singh had said. The reality is Naxalite issue is a political issue and not a mere law and order.
The word Naxalites came from Naxalbari, a village in West Bengal, where poor farmers took weapons in their hand in late 1960s. It was a peasant uprising. It also attracted students from Calcutta (then it was Calcutta) and other places. The Naxal movement, from beginning, confined primarily in poor, remote villages and forests. The deep forests of West Bengal, Odisha, Chhatisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand became their base. Tribals living in these forest areas joined Naxalites. In some areas women outnumbered men in joining them and taking up weapons. Minor children’s also became part of movement.
Swati Sengupta has written a book Out of War: Voices of Surrendered Maoists after meeting dozens of surrendered or arrested Naxalites from Chhatisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha and Maharashtra. Some of the surrendered Naxalites were holding important positions in the Zonal Committees. She also met surrendered women and persons who joined Naxalites when they were minor. She focuses on their complex individual narratives and examines the reasons for, and the methods and contexts of, their surrenders. The author says more and more women are becoming part of the State versus Maoists war – currently women are said to be approximately 60 per cent of the total Maoists force according to Maoists and home ministry sources.
For women life in the forests is not easy. They have to move from one place to another all the time. Gender equality becomes a major issue in a terrifying situation. Ideologically, they believe in gender equality but some time equality becomes a casualty. The author, after meeting couple of surrendered women, writes,” Even the top leaders of this movement have not considered gender equality important enough to practice in their own set up.” She narrates story of Suchitra Mahato from West Midnapore. She worked as a Maoist for ten years before she surrender. Her name used to create fear among many but at the same time she was popular among tribals. She was involved in couple of daring attacks on security officials. She surrendered after Mamata Banerjee of Trinamool Congress came to power. She got married to a local Trinamool leader. Jagori Baske left her home to join movement when she was only sixteen. After few years she decided to surrender. She was flaunted as a prized catch by Mamata government. Her husband Rajaram Soren was also part of the Naxalites. Author also narrated stories of few others who surrendered subsequently. One of the top Maoist leaders Kisanji was killed in an encounter in the same month. Killing of Kisanji was a biggest blow to the Naxal movement..
The author correctly says,” Female Maoists have surrendered-just like their male comrades- when their career was either over or they were frustrated with some aspect of the movement.”
She met Suman Maity alias Saontha within Lalgarh police station. It was on way to becoming a “fortified” police station under central government scheme where two crore rupees is being spent per police station. He joined Naxalites at the age of thirteen. He rose through the ranks and was a constant companion of Kishanji. The case of Sunil Mahato was not different. Sunil and many others were rattled by the killing spree. That was sufficient reason for them to quit movement.
Some of the persons whom author met were, in reality, arrested but they were shown as surrendered. There are various central and state governments’ relief and rehabilitation schemes for the surrendered Naxalites. If they are shown as surrendered than they can get benefit and also it helps them in pending cases against them. The scheme also provides jobs. But, most of the jobs are in the police force or home guard as surrendered persons can provide vital information. Many of them do not want to be a part of the police as they do not want to carry weapons again.
The life of surrendered Naxalites is also difficult. Police protection needs to be provided to them. They live under constant pressure. Some time their family members are also targeted.
