Operation Kagar: A War Against Our Own People In The Interests Of Corporates

Operation Kagar is a part of the Central government’s multi-pronged strategy combining aggressive military operations and enhanced coordination between federal and state forces. Under this operation, around one lakh para-military troops, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), its elite CoBRA units, District Reserve Guards (DRG) and state police have been deployed in the left-wing affected areas. These security personnel were equipped with modern technology like drones for information gathering, AI for intelligence gathering, and satellite imagery, among others. It was an all-out offensive with little chance of survival. Retreat too in this peak summer month was difficult, when the forest cover is poor. Around four helicopters, 20 drones equipped with satellite imagery tech and maps by NTRO, and many other equipment were being used in the recent operation. Sounds like a war against a foreign country?

Think again – it was a war against our own people in the interests of the corporates.

If the government is asked why there is no development in other even more backward regions and just where people are resisting – they have no answer. Reports say that the security forces have established over 302 new Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), and 612 fortified police stations in recent years to curb security vacuums and secure reclaimed areas. According to police reports, over 20,000 security personnel have been involved in the operation that took place on May 21. It is the taxpayers’ money that is bearing the huge cost which is being used to clear the land of tribals for the corporates.

No wonder in India there has been a boom in the billionaire club. India’s billionaire count jumps from 70 to 284 in a decade. That is a fourfold jump. The combined wealth of Indian billionaires is estimated at $ 950 billion (roughly Rs63 lakh crore), ranking the country third globally. The richest 1% of India’s population owned more than 40.5% of the country’s total wealth in 2021, while the bottom 50% of the population only accounted for around 3% of it.

And the gap keeps growing. It is this model of growth that fuels issues like Naxalism and other radical movements of the people. As long as only the ultra-rich thrive and the rest of the population live in acute poverty; no military operations can stem the tide of peoples’ anger. The model of development needs to be made more equitable for sustainable growth.

(The author is a well-known activist)