Naxalism

• ideology associated with violent left wing extremist mvmt
• fundamentally linked to Naxalbari mvmt
  • violent land grabbing mvmt started in Naxalbari village in WB 1967
  • immediate trigger = judicial order sought by tribal peasants to cultivate his own land following which henchmen of local zamindar attacked him
  • prominent leaders of mvmt = Kanu Sanyal, Charu Majumdar
  • both belonged to CPI(M)
  • wanted to wage armed struggle against State
  • deeply influenced by Maoist philosophy

Reasons for failure of Naxalbari mvmt

• lack of analytical approach
• lack of unity of command
• dependency on locals for intelligence
• arms & ammunition
• lack of political vision after revolution
• factionalism within leadership
• bangladesh liberation mvmt
• class enemies
• United Front Govt in 1970

Features of Maoist philosophy

• no belief in parliamentary democracy

• armed struggle

• from rural areas, which must be turned into revolutionary basis

• expand revolutionary basis by progressively eliminating class enemies

• eventually, encircle & purge urban areas

• Maoist philosophies influenced strategies of local revolutionaries

• Maoist in Bengal called for revolution demanding radical restructuring of SEP order

• revolutionaries broke away from CPI(M) to form their own political outfit CPI(ML)

• CPI(ML) led Naxalbari mvmt, which saw limited success, primarily on back of their social base

  • peasants
  • tribals
  • agri labours
  • clg students

Decline of Naxalbari mvmt

• lack of analytical approach

  • not prepared for counter use of State

• tactical failure

  • maintaining unity of command across numerous guerrilla units & at the same time maintaining secrecy was tactical challenge

• identification of class enemies

  • killing of constabulary which can from local population itself and vendetta killings disillusion the masses
  • little to no social connection b/w Naxalites (urban) and ppl trying to protect

• factionalism

  • leaders like Ashim Chatterjee, Sushilkal Roy Chaudhary had different interpretations of Maoist teaching viz a viz Charu Majumdar
  • also disagreement over use of individual acts of bravado and participation in bgldsh liberation mvmt

• 1970, state govt dismissed on account of failure to contain mvmt

• governor rule was announced & serious of measures taken on L&O

  • Operation Steeplechase

• developmental front

  • WB Land Reform Act 1970
    • land ceilings reduced, families named unit of application

• 1970, post death of Charu Majumdar, Naxalbari mvmt came to end

Timeline

• 1967-72: Naxalbari mvmt

• 1972-2004: Gradual expansion

• 2004-10: aggressive expansion

• 2010: Dantewada massacre

• Naxalism peaked in 2009-10

• reduced influence to only 46 districts (180 at peak)

• main states comprising red corridor include Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana, Bihar, parts of Maharashtra

• Resultant deaths of civilians and security forces have reduced by 85% in 2021 since 2010

Causes behind persistence of Naxalism

• Social structure
  • poverty, marginalization
  • social base = poor = peasantry, tribals
  • some support from educated in urban/semi urban
• Economic
  • inequalities
    • widening
    • businesses needed land but tribal/peasantry land right?
  • development & displacement
    • LWE, affected reasons being mineral rich
    • investments by industries often displace local population
    • 1947-2000: 80% displaced population tribals
• Inadequate rehabilitation & resettlement
  • inadequacy of resettlement & rehabilitation policies => aggravation of deprivation
  • $\therefore$ develop antagonist attitude towards state
• political, governanc, administrative
  • failure of land reforms
    • procedural delays
    • slow implementations
    • eventual failure of land reform
    • => skewed class structure => inequalities
    • implementation of Schedule V provision
      • eg. Tribal Advisory Councils not been constituted at various places
      • lack of guidelines concerning their constitution
  • poor governance
    • postings to these areas == punishment
      • $\therefore$ inefficient, incapable officers deployed
    • governance fails to reach these areas
      • political vacuum
      • filled by parallel institution eg. Naxal
    • popular schemes take long time to be devised and implemented
    • leaders often delay projects promoted by opponent parties
      • propaganda machinery convinces Naxalites only hope
  • Nexus b/w politician, bureaucracy, businessmen, naxalites (conflict economy)
• Other factors
  • external factors
    • eg. China’s overt, covert support
    • 2009: MHA -> >40 Maoist leaders received training in Nepal
  • Env degradation
    • forest, wetland, rivers, mining, industrial activities
    • riles up tribals
    • cultural, economic significance of forests for tribals

Government of India’s initiatives for tackling Naxalism

• comprehensively address LWE by National Policy & Action Plan -> multi pronged strategy w/ 3 essential element
  • security
  • development
  • safeguard rights, entitlements of tribals, local population
• SAMADHAN Doctrine
• Developmental initiatives
  • District Mineral Development fund: proceeds from mining activities shall be dedicated to developmental efforts for tribal & local populations
  • Aspirational Districts Program: CG, SG, CSO work in unison towards health, edu, infra
    • 90% aspirational districts are LWE
  • Development Infra where govt provides spl assistance for creation of social infra eg school, health, panchayat buildings
    • eg. Eklavya Model Residential Schools
  • Civic Action Plan
    • foster interaction between security forces & local communities to bridge trust deficit
  • Media Plan: counter Maoist propaganda in LWE areas thru outreach programs
  • Connectivity projects: road connectivity my Min o/ Road, Transport, Higtvays
    • LWE Mobile Tower Project
• Scheme for modernization of Police Forces
  • security related expenditure schemes: reimbursement to SG for sec related expenditure in LWE areas
  • spl Centre Assistance Scheme: addresses critical gaps in public infra and services
  • scheme for Fortified Police Stations: Assistance to central agencies for LWE mgmt schemes
  • creation of elite anti naxalite forces
    • eg. Greyhounds (AP), Black Panthers (Chattisgarh), Cobra battalion
  • Join command center for CRPF in naxal affected areas
• Monitoring Mechanism
  • regular assessments of LWE situation by Home minister, Home secretary, additional secretary
  • CM Conference of affected states under Union Home Minister
• Rights
  • Forest Right Act
  • PESA Act
  • Amit Shah: NAXAL MUKT BHARAT by 2026: priority to ensure forest lease holders get entitlement

Critic of Indian approach towards Naxalism

• lack of coordination b/w SG
  • sharing intelligence inputs
• lack of coordination b/w central agencies and state forces
• turf war b/w central security forces & state police affects
• inadequate training & combat capabilities of state police forces
• CAG Report: Chattisgarh ->state police had 49K weapons, 23% obolete
  • state police spent 205Cr against 260Cr for modernization of Police Force Scheme
  • 55Cr unspent
• High handedness of Central Security Forces creates trust deficit
• inadequate surrender policies, no focus on rehabilitation into mainstream

Way Forward

• Political
  • Tribal advisory council
  • reforms in forest right acts
  • strong anti corruption legislation
  • sincere dialogue w/ marginalized groups to resolve issues democratically
  • creating opportunity to join mainstream
• Administrative
  • encourage community involvement in developmental efforts
  • sensitization of local bureaucracy
  • deputing officers with desired capabilities and motivation in LWE areas + spl incentives for them
• LnO
  • SG need to upgrade capability of state security forces
  • eg. modern arms, ammunition, practical training, spl traiing in guerilla warfare
  • CG must design model surrender cum rehabilitation policy