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.
- 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)