Opem Letter to the General Secretary, Communist Party of India (Maoist) from Human Rights Watch

[We have received an open letter to the general secretary of CPI(Maoist) from Human rights Watch through email . Understanding its significance, we publish it. Red Barricade]

July 3, 2009
Ganapathi (Muppala Lakshman Rao)
General SecretaryCommunist Party of India-Maoist

Re: Request for comment on schools in Jharkhand and Bihar

Dear General Secretary,

I am a researcher in the children’s rights division of Human Rights Watch, one of the world’s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. Human Rights Watch is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization. Established in 1978, Human Rights Watch is known for its accurate fact-finding, impartial reporting, effective use of media, and targeted advocacy. Each year, Human Rights Watch publishes more than 100 reports and briefings on human rights conditions in some 80 countries.

In May and June of 2009 we conducted an investigation in Jharkhand and Bihar on the issues of attacks on schools and the police use of schools. We are extremely concerned about the detrimental effect that both these attacks and occupations have on children’s ability to access education. We will soon be issuing a report based on information collected during the research mission. Before we issue this report, however, we wish to solicit your comment and views on these issues.

First, we would be interested in learning your perspective on the use of schools by police and paramilitary police.

Second, we would like to learn your perspective on attacks preliminarily believed to have been carried out by armed groups associated with your Party on schools, which, at the time of the attacks, were not occupied or being used by the police or paramilitary.

In particular, we would like to receive your comment on the following incidents:

In Bihar:

Choramara Middle School, in Jamui district, attacked on or around March 31, 2009.

Buniyadi Middle School, Patluka, in Gaya district, attacked on April 4, 2009.

Primary school in Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary area, in Munger district, attacked on or around April 6, 2009.

Bhaluhar Middle School, in Gaya district, attacked on April 7, 2009.

Gosain-Pesraa Middle School, in Gaya district, attacked on April 14, 2009.

Chonha Middle School, in Gaya district, attacked on or around April 25, 2009.

Deora Middle School, in Aurangabad district, attacked on May 5, 2009.

Chaharkbandha Middle School, in Gaya district, attacked on June 14, 2009.

In Jharkhand:

Dwarika Middle School, in Palamu district, attacked on November 29, 2008.

Belhara High School, in Palamu district, attacked on April 9, 2009.

Barwadih Primary School, in Palamu district, attacked on April 11, 2009.

Dantar Middle School, in Chatra district, attacked on or around June 22, 2008.

Chak Middle School, in Palamu district, attacked on or around September 28, 2008.

Satbahni Primary School, in Chatra district, attacked on October 2, 2008.

Nitar Primary School, in Palamu district, attacked on March 21, 2009.

Saryu Primary School, in Latehar district, attacked on March 31, 2009.

Banlaat village school, in Gumla district, attacked on March 31, 2009.

Kiukra (Khukhra) Middle School, in Giridih district, attacked on April 18, 2009.

Narayanpur village school, in Chatra district, attacked on April 21, 2009.

Any information that you provide to us by August 15, 2009, would reach us in time for it to be reflected in our upcoming report. I can be reached by email at bede.sheppard@hrw.org, by fax to +1 212 736 1300, or by mail at Human Rights Watch, 350 Fifth Avenue, 34th floor, New York, NY 10118-3299, U.S.A.

Sincerely,

Bede Sheppard

Asia Researcher

Children’s Rights Division

Human Rights Watch