Referring names of companies like Reliance, Dr Sen told Millennium Post, “The kind of development we see in tribal areas is benefiting the corporate people. There is an urgent need for CPR for the survival of these communities.”
He added; “The whole philosophy of development is expressly targeted at sequestering Common Pool Resources and taking them out of the hands of the poor and handing them over to corporate interests. One should think in this direction”
Concerned over threat to natural resources in the country, he said, these resources are being handed over to Indian affiliates of international finance capital under cover of the eminent domain doctrine or the state’s pre-eminent ownership of land.
The statement of Sen, who is also a paediatrician and public health specialist, comes after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh concluded his two-day visit to Naxal-hit Chhattisgarh on May 31.
He reviewed the anti-Left Wing Extremist (LWE) operations and development agenda with the Chief Minister Raman Singh and senior officials of the Central and state government, including the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF).
When asked about his views on the NDA government and Singh’s visit to LWE-affected areas in Chhattisgarh, Sen said, “It is good that there is a clear government, but all I want to say is that there is no solution through violence. It cannot be a solution and people should engage in talks rather than fighting with each other. Development in tribal areas is not only about infrastructure, but about social justice and people’s sovereignty. Peace cannot mean <g data-gr-id="39">agreement</g> in an exploitative manner, but it means ensuring equity and justice to the people.”
When asked if the Centre had approached him for suggestions, he said, “So, far no one, but yes I am always there for my country.”
In April 2011, Dr Sen was released on bail. At that time, the Supreme Court had said that he may be a Maoist sympathiser and possessed come material on that ideology, but that could not automatically make him guilty of sedition.