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The Naxalite problem has led to lack of security among large
population of tribal [sic] and therefore State has constituted certain
relief camps. The relief camps comprises [sic] of people who are either
victims of Naxalite movement or fear the reprisals or attacks from
Naxalite activities. The relief camps are only a State response to
rehabilitate the displaced tribal as well as provide safety to tribal [sic]
from fear of Naxalites. The relief camps are being constituted so as to
discharge the constitutional obligation of providing security and safety
to the tribal [sic].... The villagers have joined relief camps on their own
volition.… There is no force employed on the part of the State to ask
tribals to join the camps. 25
Even though the Indian central and Chhattisgarh state governments contend that
Salwa Judum is a “people’s campaign,” there is evidence they actively promoted the
creation of the groups. For instance, the 2005-2006 annual report of the Ministry of
Home Affairs states: “The States have also been advised to encourage formation of
Local Resistance Groups/Village Defence Committees/Nagrik Suraksha Samitis
[Civilian Protection Committees] in Naxalite affected areas. In the year 2005,
Chhattisgarh witnessed significant local resistance against the Naxalites in some
areas.” 26 The Dantewada (undivided) district collector’s work proposal of 2005
illustrates how the Chhattisgarh government actively encouraged and assisted Salwa
Judum. For instance, the work proposal states,
So far the people have been conducting the Abhiyan [campaign] on
their own. The Naxalites are trying to dissuade them through
persuasion or through threats. If they are not given support from the
administration, the Abhiyan will die out. 27
25 Nandini Sundar and others v. State of Chhattisgarh, Writ Petition (Civil) No. 250 of 2007, Counter Affidavit on Behalf of
Respondent, January 22, 2008, p. 308-9, para. 8; p. 312-3, paras. 5(i)-5(l); Sur-Rejoinder on Behalf of Respondent State of
Chhattisgarh, April 10, 2008, p. 515, para. 4c.
26 Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, “Annual Report 2005-2006,” http://www.mha.nic.in/Annual-
Reports/ar0506-Eng.pdf (accessed March 15, 2008), p. 28. It is pertinent to note that this annual report corresponds to the
year in which the Salwa Judum movement started in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.
27 District Collector, “Common People’s Awareness Raising Campaign Against Naxalites, Work Proposal to Make the Campaign
Successful,” (Naxalion Ke Khilaf Aam Janata Ka Jan Jagaran Abhiyan, Abhiyan Ko safal Banane Ke Liye Karya Yojana), District
South Bastar (Dantewada), 2005, chapter 2, para. 1.
“Being Neutral is Our Biggest Crime” 24