Death of Kishenji and Peace Talks

The encounter death of Communist Party of India (Maoist) politburo member Kishenji has raised some questions, which demand serious introspection by both the Maoists and the Mamata Banerjee government.

The death of Kishenji was concordant with his philosophy of armed struggle, but the West Bengal government on its part should abide by the guidelines laid down by the National Human Rights Commission for investigating encounter deaths. This measure might help the state governmentappointed interlocutors initiate another round of talk with Maoists; with the death of Kishenji the process is now in tatters. On the other hand, it is high time the Maoists give serious thought to ending the murder of adivasis and popular activists of mainstream political parties in Jungalmahal of West Bengal. The gruesome murders of individuals cannot be legitimised as “punishment of agents of class enemy”. The villagers of the Jhargram, Belpahari, Kushbani regions, who once acted as “ears and eyes” for the slain leader and his organisation, might have refused to play that role any longer. This was evident from the tip-off on which joint forces acted successfully.