Lax government a bigger threat than Maoists, says study

The prime minister may describe the Maoists as the 'biggest internal security' threat to India, but the bad news is that people in general consider government apathy as the biggest threat to their well being.

A survey conducted by the well-know market research organisation IMRB for The Times of India reveals that while attitudes of the common citizen towards the rebels are ambivalent, condemnation of the government and its means of tackling the issue are starkly clear and unambiguous.

The study further reveals that even in Andhra Pradesh, where the battle against the Maoists has apparently been won, it turns out that the government's tackling of the issue has done nothing to win the battle for the minds are hearts of the people.

The issue has once again left the Congress party impaled on the horns of the dilemma as to whether it should consider Maoists as hardened criminals and adopt a law and order approach or should it push a development agenda to win over the population of the affected areas?

According to political analysts, the survey throws up some deeply discomforting questions about whether the policing focus approach may be right in the long run. Also there is the poser a worrying one - whether the battle in AP has been truly won or whether the Maoists can stage a comeback in a few years?

Also, what is no less important is what kind of support do the Maoists enjoy among the local populace? Are they seen as only a bunch of violent, extortionists or as rebels standing up for people's rights?