Open letter to the Prime Minister
Angul, APPEAL to readers, Balangir, Bouda, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, KBK Plus district cluster, Khordha, Khurda Rd - Balangir (under constr.), Koraput, Lanjigarh Rd - Junagarh, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nayagarha, Sambalpur, Talcher - Bimlagarh (under constr.) October 6th. 2008, 1:22am"Dr. Manmohan Singh" <pmosb@pmo.nic.in>, "Chief Minister" <cmo@ori.nic.in>, "Orissa Governor" <govori@ori.nic.in>,
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FAX: PMO at 23016857 , 23015603 (Delhi STD code is 11), CMO at 674 2590 833 (home) 674 2535 100 (office) and Planning Commission at 23096699
To:
Dr. Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of India
Cc: Mr. Naveen Patniak, Chief Minister of Orissa
Cc: Shri Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare, Governor of Orissa
Subject: Solving the greater Kandhamala problem – going after the root cause in a war footing
Dear Dr. Singh:
While the civil society in Orissa, the nation and the world is disturbed by the communal violence in Kandhamala, I would urge you to take steps to eradicate the root cause of the violence in Kandhamala and the nearby tribal, hilly, forested, awfully connected, poor and backward districts of Orissa (and its neighboring states). In this regard, please note that the violence did not spread to the major towns and cities of Orissa (such as Bhubaneswar, Puri, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Balasore etc.) that are well connected (by Rail and roads), decently developed and have a civil society.
While the violence involving the murder of Swami Laxmanananda on August 23rd 2008 and the subsequent communal violence that has taken about 40 lives is most deplorable and is in the forefront of the media, please also recall the following events that also took place within the last year in these areas:
- February 15 2008: 400 to 500 armed Naxals raided the Nayagarh armory and killed 15 people including 13 policemen.
- June 29 2008: 30 elite anti-insurgency policemen were killed by Maoists near Malkangiri.
- July 16 2008: 21 Orissa policemen were killed in a land mine explosion and firing by the ultras in Malkangiri.
- Dec 27 2007: Eleven churches were ransacked and torched in several areas of Kandhamal district.
Please note that these events happened in places in Orissa (Nayagarh, Malkangiri and Kandhamal) that are badly connected, near or within forests, have a large tribal population, and are among the most backward districts of India. The following map shows these districts are surrounded by large tracts of dense and open forested areas, and partly explains why the naxalites and Maoists are able to make them their base and why it has been difficult to deploy adequate police there in a timely manner.
(NOTE: Phulbani is now called Kandhamala)
(Note: The lines in red are the ones that are needed to bring rail connectivity to the Kandhamala, Nayagarh and Malkangiri districts and criss-cross the big connectivity gap in the heart of Orissa. The crossed segments are already approved but progressing very slowly.)
Sir: As an economist and a world leader you must know that lack of connectivity, lack of development, lack of a civil society, entrenched forest and mountainous areas together with a different population base is a recipe for the sprouting of troubled areas. This is true all across the world; from J& K and North eastern areas of India to caucuses in Asia. While one cannot and should not get rid of the mountains or the people, the problem can be solved by making the areas well connected and bringing development. The Indian government is doing that in J & K and in the northeast; but has mostly forgotten about the similar areas in Orissa, Chhatisgrah, and Andhra Pradesh, which are the favorite bases of the Naxals and Maoists.
Sir: We would like you to pay the same attention to these areas in terms of connectivity, development, and creation of civil societies, as you do to the North east and J & K. In particular we would request that following be done in a war footing during the 11th plan.
(i) The Vijaywada-Ranchi highway that passes through many of these areas be completed.
(ii) Broadband connectivity be brought to these districts with adequate access locations.
(iii) Two Railway lines, parts of which have already been sanctioned by the Railways but are progressing slowly, are completed and made operational. Those lines are:
a. Khurda Rd – Balangir (passes through Nayagarh and Boudh) – This line was sanctioned in 1994-95 is progressing very slowly.
b. Bhadrachalam Rd (Andhra Pradesh) – Malkangiri – Jeypore – Nabarangpur – Junagarh – Lanjigarh Rd – passing through Kandhamala – Boudh – Angul – Talcher – Bimlagarh: Several segments of these lines are approved but progressing slowly. Those segments are Junagarh – Lanjigarh Rd and Talcher – Bimlagarh. Angul – Talcher is operational.
(iv) With the above lines operational, development should be brought into Kandhamal, Boudh, Gajapati, and KBK districts (including Kalahandi and Malkangiri) through 1-2 Rail factories and public sector units that can use the steel and aluminum and power produced in abundance in Orissa.
(v) Orissa govt. should be encouraged and aided to establish a university in Kandhamala and another in Kalahandi.
(vi) A branch of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University be established in one of these districts.
(vii) Orissa govt. should be encouraged and aided to establish a government medical college and nursing college in Kandhamala or Boudha district.
Sir: In regards to the cost of establishing the Railway lines, please note that as per the calculation in http://kbkrail.orissalinks.com/ Indian Railways is scheduled to make a profit of 2679.72 crores/year from its operations in Orissa. If 1500 crores of this money (the rest may go to Indian Railway’s current plans for Orissa) is put into Orissa, in just 2-3 years the above mentioned lines could be completed.
Sir: We sincerely hope that you will translate the great concern you have shown towards the recent violent events to the above mentioned action items that address the key issues of lack of connectivity and development in these areas and thus provide a long term and real solution.
Sincerely
Appendix:
1. Estimated profit Indian Railways will make from Orissa in 2008-09:
|
Zone in Orissa |
Total Route Kms |
Route kms in Orissa |
Estimated 2008-2009 profit (in crores) |
Orissa’s proportional share of the profit in 2008-2009 |
|
ECOR |
2034.97 crores |
|||
|
SECR |
80.69 crores |
|||
|
SER |
589 |
564.06 crores |
||
|
Total |
|
|
2679.72 crores |
2. One of the earlier planning commissions has noted in http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/stateplan/sdr_orissa/sdr_orich2.doc
“Railways have always played an important role in economic development and rapid social transformation in all parts of the globe. It is one of the key economic infrastructures. However, it is most unfortunate that in a poor and backward state like Orissa, development of rail networks has received much less attention of the Central Government in the post-independence period. There are as many as seven districts like Boudh, Kandhamal, Deogarh, Nayagarh, Kendrapara, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur out of the 30 districts of the state, which do not have any railway line passing through them. In the year 1998-99, the density of railway route length per 1000 sq. km of area in Orissa was only 15.03 km as against 42.66 km in West Bengal and 19.11 km. at all-India level”.
3. The tribal population percentage of the KBK districts are as follows: Malkangiri 58.36% ST (+19.96% SC), Rayagada 56.04% ST (+14.28% SC), Nabarangpur 55.27% ST (+15.09% SC), Koraput 50.67% ST (+13.41% SC), Nuapada 35.95% ST(+13.09% SC), Kalahandi 28.88% ST (+17.01% SC), Sonepur 22.11% ST (+9.5% SC), Balangir 22.06% ST (+15.39% SC). Two adjacent districts also have high tribal population. They are Kandhamala 51.51% ST (+18.21% SC) and Gajapati 47.88% ST(+8.77% SC).
4. The literacy rates in the KBK districts are abysmally low. Malkangiri 31.26%, Nabarangpur 34.26%, Rayagada 35.61%, Koraput 36.2%, Nuapada 42.29%, Kalahandi 46.2%, Balangir 54.93%, Sonepur 64.07%. Two adjacent districts also have low literacy: Gajapati 41.73% and Kandhamala 52.95%. The state average is 63.1%.
5. Population below the poverty line in southern Orissa (of which KBK is a part) is reported to be 89.17% of the people according to the 1999-2000 NSS data and 72% of the families according to the 1997 census.
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October 6th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
This is fact that the current situation is for low literacy and poor Infrastructure development in the KBK region. Both Central and state government should consider it and approve a package to develop the infrastructures like education, transport, rail, Industries. These long term plans can help to control naxlite and law & order in the region.
October 12th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Dear Sir,
AS Dr.Manmohan Singh reformed the Indian economy .We would be great full if he does bring the reform on infrastructures like, Education, transport, Industries on all backward states. All the steps taken by center for infrastructure is welcomed .But sir, we are proud as an Indian then why we are not taking care of all state equally .As you always mentioned that we have to bring the minority , tribal ,poor people be part of the development then only we will grow faster . No parents leaves their child, if he/she is not normal. They put their best efforts and gives more attention to bring that child to normal life. Orissa is one among the backward state which need your immediate attention .As every one is well aware of the fact that this state is having all natural resources and capability to become one of the major developed state . And to stop more tribal people become naxalites and Maoists please give your kind attention to all the facts mentioned on the above letter. Otherwise we all have to regret for not taking care of the poor people.
October 12th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
I will be revising the letter a bit mentioning the following points:
(i) Unlike Gujarat, most of the violence happened in the backward and tribal areas. Nothing happened in the major towns and cities such as Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Berhampr, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Balasore, etc.
This implies many things: The general population is not communal in its outlook nor it is polarized. (However, if the parties in the UPA, blow it out of proportion, it has a chance of polarizing the state and even the country. In fact, some of that has happened, as is evident from disturbances in other parts of the country; and interestingly even then it has not happened in the major cities and towns of Orissa.) The lack of civil society in the areas where the violence happened made it easier for the violence to happen there. Of course, past grievances and lack of development were major contributing factors. In addition, lack of connectivity made it harder to stop the violence quickly and this was most likely factored in by the criminals who perpetrated the violence.
(ii) Thus the development and connectivity mentioned in the letter must happen.
(iii) In addition I would add a few more points to those:
(a) A state university in Kandhamala district as well as another one in Kalahandi district.
(b) A state govt funded medical college in Kandhamala or Bouda district.
(c) A branch of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University must be established by the central govt. in those areas.
====
I will revise the letter in a couple of days and then let us start a mass letter writing campaign to the PMO, CMO, and especially to the media. I will put the email addresses in a site and let people know.
October 14th, 2008 at 2:43 am
I have revised my letter and add the email addresses where the letter could be sent.
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:54 am
Following is the letter Prof. SriGopal Mohanty sent.
Dear esteemed Prime Minister Dr. Singh,
The murder of Laxmananada Saraswati and his associates by Maoists
leading to Kandhamal�s ugly riot in Odisha is one of a series of their
direct attacks on police and people. The presence and activities of
Maoists are increasing steadily in the region. Treating it merely as a
law and order problem is simply viewing the tip of an iceberg. The
root of the problem as pointed out by many has two aspects: (i) severe
regional economic imbalance mainly affecting the tribal people most of
whom live in abject poverty, which provides fodder for Maoism ideology
and (ii) existence of open and dense forest in the area to form a
natural habitat for Maoists.
While tackling the immediate law and order problem is an absolute
necessity, we request that the Government should also resort to long
term approaches, such as improving connectivity in the interior parts
of Odisha by railway networks, roads and broadband connection. This
measure will immensely help in improving the region�s long term
economic condition and at the same time reduce the hide-out areas of
Maoists.
The Government has rightly taken this approach in the North Eastern
States and in J & K and should pursue the same in Odisha. Thus we would
request the following be considered and completed with top most
priority within the 11th plan.
(i) The Vijaywada-Ranchi highway that passes through many of these
areas be completed.
(ii) Broadband connectivity to the region with adequate access
locations.
(iii) Two Railway lines, parts of which have already been sanctioned
by the Railways but are progressing slowly:
a. Khurda Rd � Balangir (passes through Nayagarh and Boudh)
b. Bhadrachalam Rd (Andhra Pradesh) � Malkangiri � Jeypore �
Nabarangpur � Junagarh � Lanjigarh Rd � passing through Kandhamala �
Boudh � Angul � Talcher � Bimlagarh.
(iv) With the above lines operational, development should be brought
into Kandhamal, Boudh, Gajapati, and KBK districts (including Kalahandi
and Malkangiri) through 1-2 Rail factories and public sector units that
can use the steel and aluminum and power produced in abundance in
Orissa.
With kind regards,
Sri Gopal Mohanty
Professor Emeritus
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario
Canada
October 27th, 2008 at 3:46 am
It is a very well written mail and in fact puts light on the current situation in Orissa. Development in the area will bring up a transformation in our society and we will not experience such shameless acts in future. I request all the concerned authorities to take due action.
December 4th, 2008 at 3:26 am
Now its a time to unite all oriya and raise your voice to bring developemental activities in all parts of orissa.Orissa is being neglected by centre and state goverment since independence.By having all the resources we are still lagging behind.We have the capabilities to become number one state in India,but it is being suppressed by politics,people at all level,we the people of orissa need to unite and should work for its developement,that attitude is required.what ever we can do at our level we should do it.Each one should contribute for its developement.Number of private Enterpreneur have started their venture in orissa.we all should support them to execute the project as soon as possible.we should not create any barrier for them.Lots of project pending due to people objection on different issue.we should be raised above the personal interest and should see to it our state should not suffer at any cost.The Oriya NRI should come forward and start their venture in orissa.
Chitta’s letter to all the government autherity is really appreciable.Keep it up.Orissa is proud of you.
Orissa wake up,time is passing by.Only Attitude can make the difference
March 25th, 2009 at 2:58 am
Respected Sir,
Changes are good and good for society at large. But please ensure that it is done in a secular & unbiased manner. We have very few people to write and you are among them, who can take action to make things better. Discipline is required in the home, society and in the nation. Make us disciplined citizen if required use force – it will show result for the next generation . and of course, do something not only looking for anyone’s gains but selflessly for the society.
We salute the democracy and it is the strength for doing good things.
Hope you will remember & respect the oath you have taken five years ago as a Prime Minister.
Sincerely,
Pranab
January 17th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
The thought of every odiya is expressed in your letter sir.The true need of development in infrastructure and agriculture is unavoidable.The places you have mentioned are extremely uncivilized and unseen.Illetaracy is one of the key player to play bad politics with these people.Odisha is always seen in world market for bad things, though it is a major royalty providing state in the country.Private parties are also showing interest in the strengthening of industrial base of the state but bad politics spoils everything.
The next war is going to be for food crisis. Agri-development is also another key asset for a developed country. many a times a lots of promises are made but never strictly implemented.
The country is looking forward for the development with joining hands not with single hand (as the symbol of congress).
We really need somebody to think like a common man and work like a prime minister. Jai Hind