The administration of one of the worst Naxalite-affected district in the country, Dantewada, has recommended the withdrawal of security cover of its local Congress legislator Kawasi Lakma, a vocal critic of the ongoing Salwa Judum. Sources revealed that Dantewada District Collector K R Pisda has sent a letter to Raman Singh recommending the withdrawal of ‘Y’ category security cover being provided to Lakma, claiming that there was no threat to him from Leftist extremists. Interestingly, the Collector’s letter surfaced within days of the local police registering an FIR against the Congress MLA for alleged extortion of money from government officials. Chitgarh Janpad Panchayat Chief Executive Officer B R Bhagat had lodged a complaint with the police alleging that Lakma had accused him of “making a lot of money” and demanded his “share”. Suggesting withdrawal of security cover being provided to the legislator, the Dantewada district administration stated in its letter sent to the state Government that “Lakma has been misbehaving with Government officials and employees”. “Besides, as the legislator has not been participating in any of the anti-Naxalite movements being organised under the Salwa Judum during the last two years, there was no threat to him from Maoist cadres,” the letter states. Lakma said the administration was trying to bully him to toe the BJP Government’s line of Salwa Judum by registering a false case and trying to withdraw his security cover as this would restrict his movement in one of the worst-affected Naxalite areas. “I am being targeted as I have openly opposed the ongoing Salwa Judum movement and exposed corruption as it was against the larger interests of tribals caught in the conflict between the anti-Naxalite lobby and the armed Maoist rebels,” the legislator stated. However, Home Minister Ram Vichar Netam refused to comment on the issue stating that correspondence between the district administration and the Government was confidential. However, he added that “it was not proper on the part of elected representatives to indulge in wrong doings”. But, the Dantewada Police on Tuesday registered a case against Bhagat at Sukma police station for threatening and using abusive language against Lakma.
