NAXAL PROBLEM
Naxalites are a group of far-left radical communists, supportive of Maoist political sentiment and ideology. Their origin can be traced to the splitting in 1967 of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), leading to the formation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist). Initially, the movement had its center in West Bengal. In recent years, it has spread into less developed areas of rural central and eastern India, such as Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh through the activities of underground groups like the Communist Party of India (Maoist). Dalits and other lower-caste members have also joined the militant movement.
In 2007, it was estimated that Naxalites were active across "half of India's states" who account for about 40 percent of India's geographical area, an area known as the "Red Corridor", where according to estimates they had influence over 92,000 square kilometers. In 2009, Naxalites were active across approximately 180 districts in ten states of India In August 2010, Karnataka was removed from the list of Naxal-affected states In July 2011, the number of Naxal-affected areas was reduced to (including proposed addition of 20 districts) 83 districts across nine states.
Naxalism In India
The term Naxalism derives its name from the village Naxalbari of West Bengal.
It originated as a rebellion against local landlords who bashed a peasant over a land dispute. The rebellion was initiated in 1967, with the objective of rightful redistribution of the land to working peasants under the leadership of Kanu Sanyal and Jagan Santhal.
Started in West Bengal, the movement has spread across Eastern India; in less developed areas of states such as Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. It is considered that Naxals support Maoist political sentiments and ideology.
Maoism is a form of communism developed by Mao Tse Tung. It is a doctrine to capture State power through a combination of an armed insurgency, mass mobilization and strategic alliances.
CAUSES
Tribal discontent:
The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 deprives tribals, who depend on forest produce for their living, from even cutting a bark.
displacement of tribal population in the naxalism-affected states due to development projects, mining operations and other reasons.
Easy Target for Maoists:
Such people who do not have any source of living are taken into naxalism by Maoists.
Maoists provide arms and ammunitions and money to such people.
Gaps in the socio-economic system of the country.
Government measuring its success on the basis of number of violent attacks rather than the development done in the naxal-affected areas.
Absence of strong technical intelligence to fight with naxalites.
Infrastructural problems, for instance, some villages are not yet connected properly with any communication network.
No Follow-Up from administration: It is seen that even after police takes hold of a region, administration fails to provide essential services to the people of that region.
Confusion over tackling naxalism as a social issue or as a security threat.
State governments considering naxalism as the central government’s issue and thus are not taking any initiatives to fight it.
Steps taken by the Government
Operation Green Hunt: It was started in 2010 and massive deployment of security forces was done in the naxal-affected areas.
From 223 districts that were affected due to naxalism in the year 2010, the number has come down to 90 in nine years.
The government even started ‘Relief and Rehabilitation Policy’ for bringing naxalites into mainstream.
Members of Central Committee Politburo of communist parties have either been killed or arrested.
Aspirational Districts Programme:
Launched in 2018, it aims to rapidly transform the districts that have shown relatively lesser progress in key social areas.
Continuous efforts of government have reduced the frequency of violent attacks in the naxalism-affected regions.
India has made some success in containing naxalism but the root causes have not been addressed yet. The central and the state governments should continue to follow the two pronged strategy i.e. ensuring safety of the people in the naxal-affected regions as well as taking initiatives for the development of such regions.
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