NAXALISM IN INDIA

GS 3 – Internal security 

Origins:

• Naxalite Movement: Maoist-inspired insurgency in India since the mid-1960s.
• Name: Derived from Naxalbari, a town in West Bengal where a tribal peasant uprising against landlords occurred in 1967.
• Though the rebellion was suppressed, it inspired communist-led insurgencies in tribal and rural areas.

Growth of Naxalism:

• Key Groups:
  • Communist Party of India–Marxist-Leninist (CPI-ML) formed in 1969.
  • Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) and People’s War Group (PWG) emerged later.
  • In 2004, MCC and PWG merged to form the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist).
• Ideology: Advocates Maoist doctrine of peasant-led revolution, claiming to represent marginalized groups like tribal communities and Dalits.

Activities:

• Targets: Landlords, politicians, businesses, security forces.
• Tactics: Guerrilla warfare, damaging infrastructure (roads, power lines), and controlling remote forested areas.
• Governance: In areas they control, Naxalites sometimes provide social services but are also known for harsh enforcement methods.

Spread and Impact:

• Strong influence in eastern states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.
• Thousands killed over decades; many displaced as refugees.

Government Response:

• Designation: Naxalites are labeled as terrorists and declared illegal.
• Actions:
  • Military raids and campaigns against their bases.
  • Efforts to regain control often lack follow-up in terms of development and services.
• Conflict persists, with both sides retaliating, creating a cycle of violence.

Current Situation:

Despite government efforts, the insurgency continues in some regions, driven by socioeconomic disparities and lack of development in affected areas.

1. The Naxalite movement in India remains a significant internal security challenge. Examine the government’s response to the insurgency and suggest measures to address the socioeconomic and developmental issues fueling it. (250 words)