Fortunately or unfortunately all these areas are very rich in natural resources. The region around Koraput where I was posted, has immense hydro power potential. It is good that Govt. Orissa has harnessed the full hydro potential to the tune of 1200 MW( combine capacity of four plants in the area). State Govt. is producing cheap power and sell it to the other states at high rate Otherwise the entire power is transmitted to Bhubaneswar area. Local people do not get any tangible benefit from these plants. None of the affected villages are electrified. Scores of villages are submerged as dams and reservoir has been constructed . Thousands of people have displaced , suffered for the sake of others benefit. Those who are actually suffered have never got the fruit of development.
The above is true for almost entire regions affected by naxalism. Thermal plants, various big factories have come up and mining of various minerals are going on but its fruit are not reaching the actual sufferers. Their land is not fertile but they have very rich resource under their land. While mining operation is being undertaken , they are paid very lowly for their barren land and nothing is considered for the underground resources. By this way one time will come when all minerals will be exhausted and these mineral reach area will have only poverty with them. As at that time no minerals will be their, no water will be there, only miles after miles barren land will be there. Then no dog will perhaps visit these areas.
To conclude, what is necessary today is a holistic approach to the entire problem and that approach must be honest. We have to ensure equal distribution of resources available to us and at the same time we have to keep in mind the geographical and geological advantage of the people. If gold is found under my house, then I must have a tangible share for me also. It is very difficult to accept that all the gold is taken by Govt. and will be used for national purpose and I will get only the compensation for my small house. Some where down the line it is not logical. If we want to sustain our country as a nation we must be more pragmatic, practical in our approach. Unity does not mean advantage to certain region and disadvantage to some. Till we have time to think and act on this problem of terror within. We must act fast other wise it will be too late.
