Maoists & security forces use video promotion to win tribals’ trust

Bhubaneswar: With a motive to win hearts and minds of innocent people especially in tribal dominated naxal-hit areas, Maoists and security forces have taken to a novel and revolutionary approach other than gun battle to woo locals. Call it electronic or digital warfare, both the forces have prepared documentaries and are displaying them to win confidence of tribals.

On one part, the rebels have made efforts to detach the tribals from mainstream by featuring the tale of police atrocities in films while security forces have done just the opposite to reign over tribals’ heart.

A film recently released by Bastar Division of Maoists in a village on Odisha-Chhattisgarh border showed alleged police brutality in the name of security. The film featured security personnel torching people’s huts, torturing people during patrolling in tribal hamlets and ill effect of police camp near villages.

Various plays have also been enacted in the documentary to lure locals towards guerrilla forces and fight the fascist power.

The security forces have also been showing videos to tribals portraying positive side of rebels who have shunned violence and joined mainstream. Aiming at creating a sense of abhorrence towards Maoists, the films have reflected red barbarism, killing of tribals on suspicion of being police informers and hindering welfare projects in remote belts. Besides, various government welfare projects, security personnel offering help during difficulties have also been well presented in the films.