Terming the encounter killing of two Maoists at Nilambur ‘unfortunate, CPI(M) Polit Buréau member M.A. Baby has said it was not the policy of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government to wipe out Maoists.
Addressing a Meet the Press programme organised by the Kesari Memorial Journalists Trust in connection with the 60th aniversary of Kerala State, he said the magisterial inquiry instituted by the government would bring out the truth behind the Nilambur encounter.
He, however, added that armed struggle would not strengthen the Left cause, it would only weaken the movement as a whole. “Mainstream parties cannot order Maoists to lay down arms, it us up to them to re examine their approach.”
Mr. Baby said the Left movement in India was moving towards a broad alliance on public issues. Mainstream parties like the CPI(M) and CPI were cooperating with organisations such as the SUCI and CPI(ML).
Asked about the conflicts facing the Athirapilly hydel project, he said it should be based on a thorough environmental impact assessment study. Pointing out that environmental damage could not reversed, he said it was time to shed the emotional approach to the issue and rely on scientific facts.
On the charges against Ministers in Kerala, he said the LDF government had demonstrated its willingness to make course corrections. “Former Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan had stepped down after the LDF and CPI(M) were convinced of the charges against him. No such grounds exist in the case of Mercykutty Amma and M.M. Mani. The government, however, will not protect anyone who is found guilty.”
Mr. Baby said the time had come for a total environmental literacy campaign in Kerala to counter the threat posed by environmental degradation. The threats posed by communalism and the re-emergence of casteist forces also called for counter strategies.
The rising trend of protectionism in many countries necessitated a policy for rehabilitation of non-resident Keralites and channelising their remittances towards productive enterprises in the State, he said.
