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)

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