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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Red flag to green steel

Ex-Maoists forge new destiny in Gadchiroli Gadchiroli: The rugged, forested terrain of Gadchiroli district, long synonymous with the violence and deep-rooted anti-establishment tenets of the ‘Red Ideology’, is now witnessing a remarkable social and industrial transformation. At the Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd. (LMEL) plant in Konsari, once-feared Maoist operatives are shedding their past lives and embracing a new, respectable existence as skilled workers in a cutting-edge Direct Reduced Iron...

Red flag to green steel

Ex-Maoists forge new destiny in Gadchiroli Gadchiroli: The rugged, forested terrain of Gadchiroli district, long synonymous with the violence and deep-rooted anti-establishment tenets of the ‘Red Ideology’, is now witnessing a remarkable social and industrial transformation. At the Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd. (LMEL) plant in Konsari, once-feared Maoist operatives are shedding their past lives and embracing a new, respectable existence as skilled workers in a cutting-edge Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and pellet plant. This ‘green steel’ project, part of LMEL’s push for an integrated steel complex in the region, is functioning not just as an industrial unit but as a crucial pillar in the Maharashtra government’s surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy. So far, LMEL, in coordination with the state government and the Gadchiroli Police, has provided employment and training to 68 surrendered Maoists and 14 members of families affected by Naxal violence, a total of 82 individuals, offering them a definitive pathway back to the mainstream. The Shift The transformation begins at the company’s dedicated Lloyds Skill Development and Training Centre at Konsari. Recognizing that many former cadres had limited formal education, the company implements a structured, skill-based rehabilitation model. They are trained in essential technical and operational skills required for plant administration, civil construction, and mechanical operations. For individuals like Govinda Atala, a former deputy commander, the change is palpable. “After surrendering, I got the right to live a new life,” Atala said. “I am very happy to get this job. I am now living my life on my own; there is no pressure on me now.” Suresh Hichame, who spent over a decade in the movement before surrendering in 2009 too echoed the sentiments. He realized the path of violence offered neither him nor his family any benefit. Moreover, his self-respecct was hurt. He knew several languages and carried out several crucial tasks for the banned organization remaining constantly under the shadow of death. Today, he works in the plant, receiving a steady monthly salary that enables him to care for his family—a basic dignity the ‘Red Ideology’ could never provide. The monthly salaries of the rehabilitated workers, typically ranging from Rs 13,000 to Rs 20,000, are revolutionary in a region long characterized by poverty and lack of opportunities. Trust, Stability The employment of former Maoists is a brave and calculated risk for LMEL, an industry that historically faced stiff opposition and even violence from the left wing extremist groups. LMEL’s management, however, sees it as an investment in inclusive growth and long-term stability for the district. The LMEL has emphasized the company’s commitment to training and facilitating career growth for the local populace, including the surrendered cadres. This commitment to local workforce upskilling is proving to be a highly effective counter-insurgency strategy, chipping away at the foundation of the Maoist movement: the exploitation of local grievances and lack of economic options. The reintegration effort extends beyond the factory floor. By providing stable incomes and a sense of purpose, LMEL helps the former rebels navigate the social transition. They are now homeowners, taxpayers, and active members of the community, replacing the identity of an outlaw with that of a respected employee. This social acceptance, coupled with economic independence, is the true measure of rehabilitation. The successful employment of cadres, some of whom were once high-ranking commanders, also sends a powerful message to those still active in the jungle: the path to a peaceful and prosperous life is open and tangible. It transforms the promise of government rehabilitation into a concrete reality. The plant, with its production of iron ore and steel, is physically transforming the region into an emerging industrial hub, and in doing so, it is symbolically forging the nation’s progress out of the ashes of extremism. The coordinated effort between private industry, the state government, and the Gadchiroli police is establishing a new environment of trust, stability, and economic progress, marking Gadchiroli’s transition from a Maoist hotbed to a model of inclusive and sustainable development.

Polygraph Testing: A Double-Edged Sword in Modern Legal Investigations

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Polygraph Testing: A Double-Edged Sword in Modern Legal Investigations

The polygraph, referred to as the “lie detector,” has historically been a subject of significant scholarly interest and controversy within the domains of law enforcement, security, and forensic investigation. Advocates of this technology contend that it serves as an essential instrument for revealing deception, as it purportedly identifies physiological variations linked to lying, including modifications in heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and skin conductivity.

The inception of the polygraph can be traced to the early 20th century. Researchers William Marston and John Augustus Larson initiated experimental endeavours employing diverse methodologies to quantify physiological reactions in a quest to ascertain falsehoods. With time, the polygraph has experienced significant evolution, characterised by enhancements in sensor technologies and data analytical methodologies that facilitate more precise and dependable assessments of the physiological alterations potentially linked to deceptive behaviour.

In India, several high-profile cases have involved the use of polygraph tests. Notable cases from the 1990s include the Bombay Bomb Blast Case (1993), where Yakub Menon was convicted for his role in the serial bombings, and the Shivani Bhatnagar Journalist Murder Case (1999). In the 2000s, the Nithari Hatya Kand (2005), while the Aarushi Talwar Murder Case (2008) captured public attention. In 2007, the Mecca Masjid Hyderabad Case and the Madhumita Shukla Murder Case were widely covered. In the 2010s, cases like the Adarsh scam (2011), the Sheena Bora Murder case (2012), the 2G scam case (2012), and the Vyapam case (2013) highlighted the role of polygraph testing in complex fraud and murder cases. In 2015, the Udahmpur Attack Case, involving a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, and the Pathankot Airbase Attack case (2016) also saw using polygraph tests for interrogation. Hathras gang rape case (2020), Shraddha Walker Murder case (2022), and Kolkata rape-murder case (2024), are some of the recent major cases where polygraph has been used.

The Supreme Court has adopted a sophisticated perspective regarding the utilisation of polygraph results as evidentiary material in judicial processes. The Supreme Court has acknowledged the utility of polygraph examinations as a method for collecting evidence, particularly in scenarios where alternative forms of evidence may be deficient. The court has concurrently articulated apprehensions concerning their dependability and admissibility as legal evidence. In the seminal case of Selvi & Ors. vs. State of Karnataka (2010), the Supreme Court decreed that no person may be compelled to undergo a polygraph examination without their explicit consent, underscoring that such procedures are intrusive and infringe upon the fundamental right against self-incrimination as enshrined in Article 20(3) of the Indian Constitution. However, the court has allowed voluntary polygraph tests, but any information obtained may be used as supplementary or corroborative evidence.

Recent scientific innovations have sought to improve the precision of polygraph tests by exploring alternative methodologies, including the use of artificial intelligence algorithms and machine learning techniques. These approaches aim to analyse polygraph data with greater accuracy, reducing the occurrence of false positives and enhancing overall reliability. These algorithms are designed to identify subtle physiological patterns that may elude detection through traditional polygraph methodologies. As scientific and technological paradigms progress, the polygraph may ultimately establish itself as a more dependable and ethically justified instrument for truth verification; nonetheless, it is imperative to uphold a prudent and deliberate approach to its application within the judicial system.

(Keshav Kumar is a retired IPS and forensic consultant to Assam Government. Samiksha Das is Forensic Psychologist, Assistant Lecturer (OPJGU). Views personal.)

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