The release of a district collector in Chhattisgarh, who had been kidnapped by Maoists, has led to calls for a “national policy” on hostages. Such a policy is unlikely to work.
That, however, is not the only problem. Hostage-taking situations can vary tremendously. Political conditions, geographic terrain, states’ capability to maintain law and order, and stomach for tough decisions vary a great deal. A uniform, countrywide policy is likely to create more problems than solutions. Policies don’t exist in a vacuum. Maoists are sure to react in a dynamic fashion to such a policy by exploiting its weaknesses.
