The term Maoist is a misnomer today (No Red Beacons, May 7). These armed groups are no longer guided by any political ideology. They don’t, as Chairman Mao once taught, “place politics in command”. Their armed actions lack any kind of vision. It is true they might now be protecting the tribals in some ways from the depredations of vested interests, but their lack of proper perspective and their resorting to mindless violence bode ill for the region affected. Violence in the Indian set-up won’t serve any cause, however ‘noble’. Those intellectuals in touch with them should therefore do their utmost to wean them away from the path of armed struggle. Otherwise, I fear, very soon these “Maoists” might start kidnapping, drug-running and other criminal activities on a large scale like the Colombian farc guerrillas, who also pretend to be red.

Marudhamuthu R., Chennai

It’s sad when an enthusiast and idealist collector (a breed fast becoming extinct) is abducted by Maoists. But it is equally sad when Harvard-educated home ministers feel that Maoists are the biggest threat to the nation and treat them as terrorists. What do you expect the poor tribals to do when robbed of their livelihood for the interests of miners and corporates—start a Dandi march in protest?

Goutam Das, Katni, MP

The shocking abduction of Sukma collector Alex Paul Menon by the ruthless Maoists points to the shocking striking ability and ruthlessness of the Maoists to pursue their violent objectives. The district Collector indeed was a soft target. But the ominous question threatening the common people is if a District Collector is unsafe in the Maoists affected regions how an ordinary person can be secure. The successive governments of all the states in the red-corridor have ignored the threat and have been breast-beating only at times of such avoidable crises. The Maoists appear to be gaining the lost ground very fast with the successive abductions of MLA and the District Collector. The state governments have been appear lambs before the cold-blooded Maoists. The Maoists certainly get unintended advantage over the states during the negotiations to release the hostages. The higher the rank of the hostages, the higher the sops the Maoists receive. This can be a dangerous trend in case the Maoists resort to such a recourse regularly. The immediate concern for the state governments was no doubt the peaceful resolution to the kidnap drama, but the policy makers must not lose time to tie up all the loose ends before it is too late.

Finally Menon was released. I do not grudge him his return from captivity but what hurts me is the fact that two policemen were killed and no one not even Menon has bothered to talk about them. At least Menon should have expressed some sort of regret if not condolence. Can it be said that their sacrifices have gone in vain. 

I have no sympathy for overconfident idiots like Menon or those Italians or Hikaka who were abducted by trerrorists. All that they have managed to achieve is that the Government was compelled to release few dreaded terrorists to get them back.  Didn't they all know that because of their foolish adventure all that the police may have achieved so far have become zero. Wasn't Menon warned about the threat. And why is it that no one, including Menon's family members, speak about those two boduguards who were killed. When will we learn that Atankwadi Ki Safai nahi Ki Jaa Sakati Unka Safaya Karna Padta Hai.

A MALE ( even a collector ) is not as big a news to the Indian media and society, as his WIFE being saddened by it. 

I am sure Arundhati Roy must be proud of her Gandhians with gun.

 The term "Maoist" is a misnomer today. These armed groups are no longer guided by any political ideology. They don't, as Chairman Mao once taught, "place politics in command". Their armed actions lack any kind of strategic vision. It is true they might now be protecting the tribals in some ways from the depradations of vested interests, but their lack of a proper perspective and their resorting to mindless violence bode ill for the region affected. Violence in the Indian setup will not serve any purpose however good. Those intellectuals in touch with them should therefore do their utmost to wean them away from the path of armed struggle. Otherwise I have a fear that very soon these "Maoists" might start kidnapping, drug running and other criminal activites on a large scale just like the Columbian FARC guerrillas who also pretend to be "Red".

With these idiotic kidnappings, Maoists are losing the sympathy of the 'intellectualls' of India. It might be helpful for them in short term to highlight their cause but in long term it will make their cause redundant. Once the state will retaliate and people will understand the reason for state's violent reaction, tribals will suffer the worst. 

--Despite this, Alex Paul often ignored security norms in his zeal to take government benefits to the tribals of these thickly forested, rebel-controlled parts---

Alex Paul is responsible for the death of 2 police men and his own predicament. He is alone responsible for the imminent release of Maoist terrorists from j il. It makes me wonder how could an IAS officer (supposed to be intelligent) be so naive as to totally ignore the warning of security agencies. All right he might be less concerned about his safety but what matters is that his action has given a chance to the Maoists to secure the release of their terrorist comrades. Life of one Alex Paul is not important compare to the potential death of many more police meant in the hands of the would be released extremist. Government must stop negotiating with the Maoists and use commandos to try to secure the release of the collector.
 

 A district Magistrate on tour, in a naxalite area, with 2 gurads? A common person will make it out that he was there to get kidnapped and help maoists get released some terrorists. But our so called intelligent media didn't question this act of Alex Paul Menon, Why? Now most people know yhe answer of this why. No wonder, he is in line with BD Sharma and Harsh Mander, and may be Aruna Roy (pl don't get misguided with their hindu names).

 “Apropos Maoists’ sustenance, I think it’s time to rehabilitate them by opening an Institute called “SITC – Strategy Implementation Training Centre” and appointing them as faculty of it.”

The increase in forest cover is heartening but it does raise an intriguing question about the alternative development model the Maoists have in mind for these areas.

The increase in forest cover is heartening but it does raise an intriguing question about the alternative development model the Maoists have in mind for these areas.

 “Apropos Maoists’ sustenance, I think it’s time to rehabilitate them by opening an Institute called “SITC – Strategy Implementation Training Centre” and appointing them as faculty of it.”

 A district Magistrate on tour, in a naxalite area, with 2 gurads? A common person will make it out that he was there to get kidnapped and help maoists get released some terrorists. But our so called intelligent media didn't question this act of Alex Paul Menon, Why? Now most people know yhe answer of this why. No wonder, he is in line with BD Sharma and Harsh Mander, and may be Aruna Roy (pl don't get misguided with their hindu names).

--Despite this, Alex Paul often ignored security norms in his zeal to take government benefits to the tribals of these thickly forested, rebel-controlled parts---

Alex Paul is responsible for the death of 2 police men and his own predicament. He is alone responsible for the imminent release of Maoist terrorists from j il. It makes me wonder how could an IAS officer (supposed to be intelligent) be so naive as to totally ignore the warning of security agencies. All right he might be less concerned about his safety but what matters is that his action has given a chance to the Maoists to secure the release of their terrorist comrades. Life of one Alex Paul is not important compare to the potential death of many more police meant in the hands of the would be released extremist. Government must stop negotiating with the Maoists and use commandos to try to secure the release of the collector.
 

With these idiotic kidnappings, Maoists are losing the sympathy of the 'intellectualls' of India. It might be helpful for them in short term to highlight their cause but in long term it will make their cause redundant. Once the state will retaliate and people will understand the reason for state's violent reaction, tribals will suffer the worst. 

 The term "Maoist" is a misnomer today. These armed groups are no longer guided by any political ideology. They don't, as Chairman Mao once taught, "place politics in command". Their armed actions lack any kind of strategic vision. It is true they might now be protecting the tribals in some ways from the depradations of vested interests, but their lack of a proper perspective and their resorting to mindless violence bode ill for the region affected. Violence in the Indian setup will not serve any purpose however good. Those intellectuals in touch with them should therefore do their utmost to wean them away from the path of armed struggle. Otherwise I have a fear that very soon these "Maoists" might start kidnapping, drug running and other criminal activites on a large scale just like the Columbian FARC guerrillas who also pretend to be "Red".

I am sure Arundhati Roy must be proud of her Gandhians with gun.

A MALE ( even a collector ) is not as big a news to the Indian media and society, as his WIFE being saddened by it. 

I have no sympathy for overconfident idiots like Menon or those Italians or Hikaka who were abducted by trerrorists. All that they have managed to achieve is that the Government was compelled to release few dreaded terrorists to get them back.  Didn't they all know that because of their foolish adventure all that the police may have achieved so far have become zero. Wasn't Menon warned about the threat. And why is it that no one, including Menon's family members, speak about those two boduguards who were killed. When will we learn that Atankwadi Ki Safai nahi Ki Jaa Sakati Unka Safaya Karna Padta Hai.

Finally Menon was released. I do not grudge him his return from captivity but what hurts me is the fact that two policemen were killed and no one not even Menon has bothered to talk about them. At least Menon should have expressed some sort of regret if not condolence. Can it be said that their sacrifices have gone in vain. 

The shocking abduction of Sukma collector Alex Paul Menon by the ruthless Maoists points to the shocking striking ability and ruthlessness of the Maoists to pursue their violent objectives. The district Collector indeed was a soft target. But the ominous question threatening the common people is if a District Collector is unsafe in the Maoists affected regions how an ordinary person can be secure. The successive governments of all the states in the red-corridor have ignored the threat and have been breast-beating only at times of such avoidable crises. The Maoists appear to be gaining the lost ground very fast with the successive abductions of MLA and the District Collector. The state governments have been appear lambs before the cold-blooded Maoists. The Maoists certainly get unintended advantage over the states during the negotiations to release the hostages. The higher the rank of the hostages, the higher the sops the Maoists receive. This can be a dangerous trend in case the Maoists resort to such a recourse regularly. The immediate concern for the state governments was no doubt the peaceful resolution to the kidnap drama, but the policy makers must not lose time to tie up all the loose ends before it is too late.