In the killing of four constables, the Naxals have yet again brought a three-decade long tussle back into the news. Naxal-related killings had gone down over the past year but the fight still ensues. There is no logical explanation to the recent killings. The four men were officials who were brought in to track known informers and sympathisers, tipping off the local police, who would in turn work to tackle these men and women. These men were responsible for weakening a lot of Naxal operations over the past few months, as a result of which they became enemy number one. Their abduction on Monday and subsequent murder cannot be condoned. There cannot be any rational justification to their killing, especially considering the fact that these were unarmed men travelling on a local bus when they were abducted.
The Naxal issue has been plaguing the region around Central India for decades, ever since the first uprising in the 60s. Their issue is with the acquisition of lands and the displacement of their tribes. But, there are better ways to resolve this conflict. No doubt, the police force and other authorities have been complicit too, in their dealings with the Naxals, there is a need for dialogue to resolve this situation, provided the extremists are willing to adhere to a ceasefire and sit across the table.
