NEW DELHI: B D Sharma, a former bureaucrat who has been named by the Maoists as one of their mediators in the negotiations for the release of abducted Sukma Collector Alex Paul Menon slammed the Chhattisgarh government on Wednesday and said the ultras’ demands are justified and that everything was fair in war. He also clarified that Operation Green Hunt is nothing but a war unleashed by the State Government on poor tribals.
Sharma has also refused to condemn the abduction of Menon.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Sharma said Collector Alex Paul Menon represents the government in Chhattisgarh and Naxals are fighting against the government.
“It is system versus people of Bastar. We will sit together tomorrow and talk but the demands made by Maoists should be attended immediately,” he said. Justifying the abduction of Collector Menon, Sharma added that hundreds of tribals are lodged in jails on the basis of fake cases and the tribal people are suffering because of atrocities of the State government.
“I’m not speaking on behalf of the Maoists but the Maoists Committee is not begging for some favours. It is openly alleging that fake cases have been launched against named people.” In the present circumstances, Sharma’s statement indicates that talks will not move forward unless government gives due consideration to the Maoists’ demands.
Sources in the state government said Sharma’s tatement regarding abduction will only complicate the entire situation instead of resolving the issue.