Huzurabad Declaration
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Over-ground supporters of Left-wing extremist groups in Andhra
Pradesh’s Karimnagar district were organised into four groups
to deliberate upon specific topics and come up with suggestions
to tackle the vexed problem of left-wing extremism, Naxalism.
At a Convention organised in April 2002, the suggestions were
put together in the form of Huzurabad Declaration and at the same
venue the names of several militants were struck-off the police
records with a view to integrating them in the mainstream of the
society.
Karimnagar is among the districts worst-affected by the Naxalite
menace and it is to this district that Ganapathy, the leader of
the People’s War Group (PWG) belongs to. Also, Karimnagar is a
part of the PWG’s North Telengana Special Zone Committee (NTSZC),
arguably the lynchpin of the PWG’s extremist movement.
Following is the text of the Huzurabad Declaration.
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The Huzurabad Declaration
unanimously adopted
By the "Militants Parivarthana Sadassu",
Marking the liberation of militants from
the stigma of extremism held
at Huzurabad, Karimnagar Dist, Andhra Pradesh April 5th 2002
Setting an emulation worthy [of] example for the militants of various
extremist groups in the State, as many as 647 militants of Huzurabad
circle in Karimnagar district reformed themselves by eschewing violence
and pledging their support for ushering in peace and prosperity in the
'Parivarthana Saddassu (Reformation Convention) organised by the district
police in Huzurabad [on] April 5, 2002. The names of the 647 militants
have been deleted from the police records on the occasion signalling
their liberation from the clutches of extremism and reintegration with
the society.
The convention has passed the following resolution christened as 'Huzurabad
Declaration’. The declaration is prepared based on the suggestions and
feedback given by the militants and the local public representatives
who participated in syndicate group discussions on extremism and the
ways to wipe out the same from the gross-root level. The topics on which
the syndicate groups hod brainstorming discussions include: (I) Who
would benefit from destruction of public properties and the rationale
in reducing valuable properties to ashes? (II) Reasons for joining extremism
(III) Repercussions of extremism (IV) Extremism - Solutions.
Resolutions
Extremism would not offer solution to any problem. The mindless violence
originating from it would only lead to extinction. Solutions to various
problems lie in the democratically elected government. The origin of
extremism can be attributed to illiteracy, unemployment, poverty, personal
rivalries, inordinate delay in the solution of problems, lack of awareness
on various self- employment, development schemes offered by the government
among other socio-economic reasons. Effective tackling of these problems
would help in resolving the extremism menace.
1) Implementation of land reforms and prompt settlement of cases relating
to land disputes.
2) Ensuring the stay of government employees, who act as change agents,
in the villages and strengthening the service delivery system thereby
developing the villages in all spheres. Creating conducive atmosphere
for the stay of government employees in the villages.
3) Initiating stern and transparent action against the persons perpetrating
atrocities on women and other 'underprivileged sections’.
4) Settlement of long pending grievances of rural masses particularly
problems related to women and unemployed youth and execution of developmental
works with inter-disciplinary approach at the village level so as not
to leave scope for extremist elements to exploit the situation.
5) Implementation of literacy programmes on a massive scale to bring
enlightenment among rural masses.
6) Massive awareness campaign on the availability of various self-employment
schemes and development programmes of the State and Central governments
among the unemployed youth and counselling on alternative employment
avenues
7) Ensuring the provision of mass media facilities in villages to enable
the rural masses aware of the happenings around the globe on all aspects
of human life.
8) Organisation of cultural and sports programmes at the village level
involving youth associations, government and voluntary organisations
to prevent the gullible rural youth from falling prey to the evil designs
of extremist groups and other anti-social elements to transform them
into a potential source of nation- building.
9) Holding inter-departmental conventions involving local public representatives
periodically at the village and mandal level to ensure speedy redressal
of the grievances concerning villagers.
10) Holding debates in the remote villages to enlighten people at the
gross-root level against the devastating effects of extremism
11) All government departments including Police should maintain transparency
and accountability while discharging their designated duties besides
delivering services in tune with the aspirations of the people.
12) Fool proof self-defence mechanism should be evolved to safeguard
public properties from the extremists.
13) People should rise above caste, creed, religious and political
affiliations to transform the villages into centres of peace and prosperity.
The Huzurabad Declaration called upon the transformed militants to
contribute their mite for the development of their respective villages
and further exhorted the misguided cadres of the extremist groups to
draw inspiration from the reformed militants, shun violence and join
the national mainstream.
Source: Superintendent of Police, Karimnagar District, Andhra
Pradesh
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