whose war is it?

The newspapers in the last few months have been reporting an escalation in kidnapping, shoot outs and bomb blasts either by the Maoists or by the Police force. Note that these wars are fought in forests and other terrains where the Maoists are old hands in hiding, pursuing or killing people. And most of the times, they have better weaponry than the Police force.


The Maoists seemed to have lost sight of their agenda. Or may be I do not know the entire story, but why would you want to kidnap an officer who is working to make people's lives better by listening to and solving their problems. For example, one of the officers was actually responsible for the construction of a  tar road, which was promptly destroyed.

On the other hand, the police personnel often behave like 'goondas' kidnapping and raping women and beating up people in the middle of the night. I guess if you are on the receiving end and don't know how or when or where you will be killed, then the animal in you just comes out and damn the consequences. 

But in this war, who is the villain, who is innocent and whose war is it?

Men in fatigues.

Men in camouflage.

Some. Call themselves guerrillas,

Heading people’s movements.

Some. Are in the government.

Pushing forgotten papers.

You say you work for the people.

And you say you work with the people.

The passion was lost long ago.

Now the forests echo with pain.

Fool hardy. Brave souls.

Circling each other.

Preying on leftover lives.

Kidnap/Raping.

Arson/Pillaging.

Gun shots/Bomb blasts.

Blown to bits, blown to dust.

What ancient drumbeats do you follow?

What soundless bugles do you hear?

What is the agenda?

Whose war is it...Who is the enemy...

The reason is adrift. The cause is dead.

Foolish Men!

You forgot the colour of blood.

You forgot those who wait.

With lamps lit.

At the threshold of their homes.