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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.

The Toll of Judicial Delays on India’s Justice System

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

The Toll of Judicial Delays on India’s Justice System

As Indians, we are used to scenarios where people arrive late at appointments, trains, buses, or planes are delayed, and events start later than scheduled. This is frequently and sarcastically referred to as ‘Indian Stretchable Time’, a play on the official time zone of Indian Standard Time (IST). It reflects a passive acceptance of our collective disregard for punctuality. The problem becomes even more pronounced as we delve deeper into the grassroots levels of society. At these levels, we often encounter tragic news stories where lives have been lost due to delays in receiving critical medical treatment. Similarly, there are numerous instances where judicial cases are left unresolved, not because justice was served but because plaintiffs or defendants passed away before their cases could be concluded.

Recently, President Draupadi Murmu voiced her concern over the issue of delayed justice. Pendency and backlog of cases is a big challenge before the judiciary, she said, suggesting measures like special Lok Adalat week should be organised more frequently to tackle the issue, urging all stakeholders to prioritise finding a solution.

The preamble of the Indian Constitution identifies securing justice―social and economic―as one of its fundamental mandates. Furthermore, Article 39-A of the Constitution directs the state ‘to secure equal justice and free legal aid for the citizens’. However, this goal remains elusive even 77 years after independence. Our judicial system has failed to address basic issues like quick and inexpensive justice and safeguarding the rights of the poor and the vulnerable. According to estimates from a former Supreme Court judge, more than five crore cases are currently pending in Indian courts, with over 10 percent of them being older than ten years. If this is a sign of the collapse of the justice delivery system in India, one will have to think of what can be done to revitalise the system.

When court decisions in a heinous crime like rape come after a generation has passed, the common man feels that the judicial process lacks sensitivity. It is a sad aspect of our social life that, in some cases, people with resources continue to roam around fearlessly and freely even after committing crimes. Those who fall victim to these crimes are often left to live in fear, almost as if they are the ones who have committed a wrongdoing. It’s a cruel irony that these innocent individuals, already suffering from the impact of the crimes against them, are forced to endure a life filled with anxiety, as though they were the perpetrators rather than the victims.

Several measures have been discussed to revitalise the ailing justice delivery system. The COVID pandemic came as a boon when one thinks of the modernisation of the legal system, including the digitisation of court records, online filing of cases, and e-court services. Reforms in the criminal justice system, which include measures like improving forensic capabilities and ensuring timely investigation and prosecution, are expected to fall in line soon. Measures like increasing the number of judges, providing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration, making legal aid available to those who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, and setting up fast-track special courts have been discussed for a long time.

While speaking at the National Conference of District Judiciary, organised by the Supreme Court of India, President Murmu underlined the fact that providing justice to the people through the district courts with sensitivity and promptness and at a low cost is the basis of the success of our judiciary. She stressed that faith and reverence towards justice have been a part of Indian tradition, which is why people consider every judge in the country as God. This puts a great responsibility on the justice delivery system at the grassroots as the district-level courts determine the image of the judiciary in the minds of crores of citizens. Unfortunately, today, let alone the poor people from villages, but the comparatively well-to-do urban middle-class people too are afraid to go to court. They become participants in the justice process of the court only under great compulsion. They often tolerate injustice silently because they feel that fighting for justice can make their lives more miserable. Hence, every possible measure should be taken to change this situation.

The persistent delays in various aspects of Indian life, from public transportation to the judicial system, reflect a deeper cultural and systemic issue that urgently needs to be addressed. Revitalising the justice delivery system, particularly at the grassroots level, is not just a legal necessity but a moral imperative, one that will restore faith in the judiciary and protect the rights of all citizens, especially the most vulnerable. The consequences of this attitude are most severe in the judiciary, where delayed justice is, in reality, denied justice.

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