Insurgency and counter-insurgency

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Citizens for Peace
in collaboration with

Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry,

Gateway House and

Tata Institute of Social Sciences

organized a discussion on

INSURGENCY AND COUNTER-INSURGENCY :
CHALLENGES OF BUILDING A SHARED PROSPERITY

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Content Report & Video Clips
For a DVD of the entire discussion, kindly contact:
gulan@citizensforpeace.in

Updates 1, 2

The escalation of hostilities between Naxal/Maoist insurgents and government para-military forces has put millions of lives in deep peril. While the conflict seems to be in the hinterland it has grave implications for both rural and urban India, its democracy, society, security, economy and foreign policy.

The complexity of the issue means that no one entity – neither government, human rights groups, armed forces or business – can create a solution alone. A multi-stakeholder discussion, study and solution must be found.

Citizens for Peace along with our collaborators presented a panel discussion bringing together various stakeholders for the first time to understand the ground realities of the issue.

The discussion was chaired by Dr. Parasuraman, Director, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and the panel included

Dr. Ajit Ranade, Chief Economist, Aditya Birla Group

Himanshu Kumar, Vanvasi Chetna Ashram, Bastar, Chhattisgarh

M.D. Nalapat, Professor of Geopolitics and UNESCO chair, Manipal University

Dr. Nandini Sundar, Professor of Sociology, Delhi University; Author: Subalterns and

Sovereigns: An Anthropological History of Bastar

The panel discussed a wide range of concerns: What are the root causes of the problem? Are the Maoists Robin Hoods or brutal insurgents? Are the adivasis victims, sympathizers or perpetuators? How much support do the Maoists really have? What role have the non-Maoist grassroots groups been playing and what are their solutions within the framework of the Indian constitution?

How has business come to be embroiled in this? What role can it play as stakeholder? What is the environmental impact of this insurgency? What is the foreign policy implication of the spread of the ‘red corridor?’ Finally, can citizens develop a constructive and creative response to this crisis? Can business evolve ideas for resolution of the conflict that ensure peace and justice for the affected and economic growth for all?

The meeting was extremely well attended– and a packed audience from various sectors – the corporate world, students and teachers, professionals, activists and media – discussed one of the most critical issues of our times.