The Opinion Poll, A thing of Beauty

CNN IBN brought out the results of an "Opinion Poll" it supposedly conducted in "Naxal affected areas" (God knows what that means). The results are not a problem, however, I don't agree on the credibility of the channel and the poll is a different matter. Things that caught my attention is the way the questions were formed with most of the options over simplified and in some cases totally hijacked to support an agenda

Above is the supposed show stopper as portrayed by the network. It opined that the people in the tribal belt (I prefer tribal belt to Naxal affected areas) suggest pushing development as a way to handle naxals. The war between the government of India and the Naxallites has been over the allotment of vast mineral rich areas occupied by tribals over hundreds of years to private mining companies. This is what was/is protrayed by the Union Government as developmental measures.

Here are my contentions

1. The question was "How to handle Naxals". Since the government is drawing a full fledged war against the naxals despite its claims about peace talks and all, the options should've been from peace talks to full scale war. How in the name of hell, "Push Development" can counter naxals who's aim is to "Take Control of the Indian Government" by 2050 (as claimed by the netas and babus when they started this war against naxals)
2. Since the channel claims it questioned people in the tribal belt, I can safely assume that most of them if not all would be the aadivaasies. I can also very reasonably assume that "pushing development" means letting in big companies build their factories and facilities. This means the end of the "way of life" for the locals. No sensible person will say he is ok with a move that will destroy his livelihood and  throw him out of his own home. I can infer two things here. Either the learned friends from CSDS who conducted the polls did not explain the questions and options properly, or the "poll" must've been a summer project of an MBA student who cooked up the results.
3. Second option is "Coercive Measures". What is wrong in being open about it. This is nothing but KILLING the citizens of our country without trial or hearing. That should be much easy when the army comes in as expected and planned by the central government. Wouldn't that be a sight. Indian Solders killing Indian citizens.

Other "Results"

Some of the other results go on to say that the Naxals are waging a war against the state in the name of welfare of the poor and the government is merely setting things straight. It goes on to say that the about half of the respondents support these measures.

As thought the result in bright colours and images wasn't enough, the report tries to emphasize that people support "DEVELOPMENT" over other means to curtail naxals. An exercise in wishful thinking I guess.The real comic portion of the whole poll is the question about the local's faith in the democratic process. 60% seems to have said that they still have faith in the democratic process. If I am not wrong, democratic process starts with people choosing a candidate to represent them in the legislature through vote, the elected members enacting various policies/projects for the welfare of the public through informed debate in the assembly, and going back to the public to collect feedback on the effectiveness of their policies, making changes accordingly. This is to be supplemented by an independent judiciary and press to ensure that no man need to be afraid of the other.

All along I thought this is the democratic process. I feel it disgraceful to comment on this further.

In an era where the editorials are sold by inches and infomercials and filmy bullshit hog most of the live news feed, this is no surprise. I personally feel this poll is an insult to those proud tribal people who live there for over hundreds of years, sustaining their way of life and still maintaining balance of nature.

It will be an absolute shame if those real people are not allowed to continue their way of life and forced to leave way to polluting mining companies and these shameless so called independent media contribute to it.