How did Salwa Judum come into existence?

What's the meaning of Salwa Judum?

Like Karma, you too have come under Naxal attack many times.

Why was Salwa Judum banned by the top court?

What difference would it have made had it not been banned?

What's the future of Maoists?

Before being banned by the Supreme Court in 2011, the Salwa Judum movement had hogged the limelight from successful counter insurgency operations against the Maoists.Started as a peaceful campaign by villagers from 200 villages in Naxal-infested areas of Chhattisgarh, it turned into a full-fledged war against the outlaws where the tribals were given military training and armed with guns, lathis, axes, bows and arrows to fight.One of its founders, Mahendra Karma, who was an industries minister in chief minister Ajit Jogi's government, was known to everyone, as the man behind the 'anti-Naxal militia', coined the term at that time. The concept was actually a brainchild of Madhukar Rao, a 45-year-old schoolteacher, who was later supported by Karma.Rao is perhaps the only surviving founding member of the now-defunct movement, which once had caused extensive damage to the Naxals, right in their territory. During his recent visit to remote Nelgunda village, located in deep interiors of Gadchiroli, he spoke exclusively with TOI on how Naxalism could have been tamed by Salwa Judum, if it wouldn't have been banned by the apex court.Excerpts from the interview:The people from Ambeli in Chhattisgarh and other nearby villages were fed up with the outlaws, as they made their life miserable.These outlaws often blocked the development by digging roads, triggering explosions and threatening the villagers. They used to extort money from the tendu contractors and also from the labourers, who worked there. There was a deep anguish among the locals. When the resentment reached peak, the villagers invited the Maoist leaders to talk and requested them to shun the path of violence. But when they refused, they forcibly took them to Kutru Police Station and declared all out war against them, till they surrendered and stopped violence.This was the start of Salwa Judum, where victims of Maoists violence came together to fight injustice meted out to them.The term was coined by the late Mahendra Karma which means 'peace march' or 'purification hunt' as per Gondi, the local dialect of tribals from this region.The aim was to force them to drop guns, surrender and live in a peaceful way. The movement evoked an overwhelming support from the tribals, but Maoists launched counter operations by stepping up killings of villagers and striking at our camps that led to our members take up guns for self-defence.Yes, I have been attacked 19 times at various places, but I survived with god's grace. Once they attacked me at my home. Though I escaped with minor injuries, my brother was critically wounded.I've been provided 24 hours armed security by the Chhattisgarh government as I am on their hit-list. They've killed a majority of innocent members associated with Salwa Judum. Unfortunately, Karma was not so lucky, as he was brutally killed by them along with 30 others on May 25, 2013.The insurgents caught a convoy of Congress leaders, including former minister Vidyacharan Shukla, in Darbha Valley of Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, by surprise and opened fire on them.The Naxalite movement has its wing of intellectuals who are spread in big cities and indirectly help them in carrying out subversive activities. When they faced setbacks at that time with many of their top fighters either being neutralized or surrendered, these intellectuals knocked judiciary's doors by labelling false charges. They succeeded in their designs. Disarming Salwa Judum members provided a new lease of life to the Maoist movement. They were also supported by a section of politicians, who take their help during elections.Naxalism would have been a thing of past, as we had convinced the masses about their ulterior motives.A majority of them had started surrendering at that time and joined Salwa Judum to fight against Naxals. These outlaws don't have any motives left, and survive only on extortion, threats and killings. We brought them, almost to last stage through our awareness campaigns. It was the reason they disliked the movement. We were extremely disappointed after the ban.With youths beginning to realize that there is no future in their ideology of violence, they are shunning the path. I can foresee a natural death of their movement.As development continues to take place in these backward areas, their base would gradually shrink. Education is also playing a major role with youngsters searching for greener pastures rather than joining their ranks and making life miserable. They are only surviving by spreading fear psychosis among the poor villagers.Currently, very few are left in Maharashtra, and are limited to Gadchiroli. Once development reaches this part of the state, their dominance would end.Their major strength lies in parts of Chhattisgarh like Bastar and Dantewada districts.