Caught between Naxals and police

In many ways, Reddy’s case highlights the predicament not just of journalists working in this conflict zone but also of the common people living in Bastar. His is the story of a people caught between Naxals and police.

Reddy, 46, a resident of Basaguda in Naxalite-hit Bijapur district, was arrested on March 1. Police say he was detained after an arrested Naxalite, Rambabu, revealed he had “connections” with him and that Naxals took their ration from a shop run by his wife.

Like many journalists in Bastar, Reddy earns his living selling grain and minor forest produce while contributing to local newspapers. His writings on Naxal violence in the region earned him the wrath of both Maoists and security forces. In fact, three years ago, Maoists had threatened to kill him and his family if he didn’t leave Chhattisgarh. The rebels blew up his house, forcing him to flee to Cherlapal in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Reddy’s friends say his family had to apologise to the Maoists before he could return home.

According to Satish, a journalist based in Bastar, the authorities too were after Reddy as he would often rake up the problems of Basaguda, an area government officials were reluctant to visit because of the strong Maoist presence.

“In 1998, the authorities had booked Reddy under the Essential Commodities Act but the case against him fell flat during the first hearing itself,” he pointed out.

The police and the Naxals are not the only ones Reddy appears to have rubbed the wrong way. Leaders of the Salwa Judum, the movement launched to counter Naxals, too were apparently angered by Reddy’s refusal to openly support them.

State IFWJ unit president Narayan Sharma, who visited Basaguda and met Reddy in jail, claims the arrest was plotted at the behest of Salwa Judum leaders. “If anyone is not with the Salwa Judum, he is branded a Naxalite sympathiser here,” he said.

Apart from Reddy, Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) state executive committee member Ajay T.G., a rights activist who made short films, has also been booked under the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act.

According to PUCL leader Rajendra Sail, 52 people have been detained so far in the state under this Act. Cases have also been registered against 67 others who are ‘absconding’.

Apart from seven hardcore Naxals, the 52 detainees include seven small businessmen, two cloth merchants, two shopkeepers, one NGO member, two Naxal couriers, 19 agricultural labourers, 12 cultural activists of the Chetna Natya Manch, a cattle trader, a videographer, a tailor, a journalist, a former journalist and a private doctor.

Meanwhile, a campaign to press for the release of Dr Binayak Sen will begin in Raipur on June 16.