Naxalism

Review - George Kunnath, Rebels from the Mud Houses: Dalits and the Making of the Maoist Revolution in Bihar (New Delhi, 2012)

by Uday Chandra

Forthcoming in Journal of Agrarian Change 12 (4), 2012

Grievance, Mobilisation and State Response: An examination of the Naxalite Insurgency in India

by Chas Morrison

Published in the April 2012 issue of "Journal of Conflict Transformation and Security"

This paper explores the Naxalite insurgency in India in terms of causal mechanisms that lead to the intensification of... more This paper explores the Naxalite insurgency in India in terms of causal mechanisms that lead to the intensification of rural civil conflict by focusing specifically on grievance, mobilisation and government responses to rebellion. Realist theory is inadequate when analysing the causal factors of complex insurgencies and the mechanisms leading to their continuation. This case illustrates some aspects of intra-state conflict in a very large country, in terms of geography and population, and how the rebels have mobilised grievances at local level. New Delhi has addressed the conflict as both a development and a security challenge, and consequently has oscillated between repression and concession in its responses. This approach has resulted neither in reduction of grievances through adequate rural development, nor in consistent armed response to the Naxalite threat. Without a comprehensive and clear set of state responses, the violence is likely to continue.

Yet another false step in counter-Maoist policy

by Bibhu Prasad Routray

Published in New Indian Express, 11 March 2012

The moot question, thus, is not whether conflict-ridden areas should be developed or not, but whether they can be... more The moot question, thus, is not whether conflict-ridden areas should be developed or not, but whether they can be developed, as long as they remain under the influence of the extremists? Will development initiatives, with potentially damaging impact on the Maoist influence, be allowed to take off by the extremists? Won’t a single attack, if not a series, prove to be a decisive setback for the entire development project, thereby deepening the suspicion of the population in the capacity of the government? And thus, won’t it be rational for the government to secure a semblance of order before pouring money into such areas?

Future of Naxalism: India needs to stay alert

by Bibhu Prasad Routray

Published in New Indian Express, 12 February 2012

The recent assessment by author Jan Myrdal that the Left-Wing extremist (Naxalite) movement in India is headed... more The recent assessment by author Jan Myrdal that the Left-Wing extremist (Naxalite) movement in India is headed nowhere, is bound to come as a shot-in-the-arm for the Indian state. Coming from a man who has observed the movement from close quarters for a long time, and who is also known to be in close contact with several senior Naxalite leaders including its elusive general secretary Ganapathy, the assessment is as realistic as it can get. However, the fact remains that it is not ideology, but the potential to carry out violence, which sustains the movement and will do so for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the state approach towards the threat must be predominantly oriented towards meeting the firepower of the extremists.

The Naxalite Insurgency & India's Centralized Response (Oct 31 2009)

by Christopher Biggers

Recent reports emerging from New Delhi indicate a new centralized offensive to combat the Naxalite threat in... more Recent reports emerging from New Delhi indicate a new centralized offensive to combat the Naxalite threat in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Planned for November, this novel offensive will mark the beginning of a 5 year strategy coordinating, for the first time across individual states, the option of utilizing the Indian army and air force to further strengthen existing local paramilitary units.

The Fire in the Forests: Forest Areas, Adivasis and Revolutionaries

by Shankar Gopalakrishnan

Forthcoming from Council for Social Development.  Based on presentation at conference on Tribals, Land Rights and Left Radicalism, given in 2010.

There is nothing natural about the equation between adivasis, Maoists and forest areas that has today come to be so... more There is nothing natural about the equation between adivasis, Maoists and forest areas that has today come to be so axiomatic in policy and public discourse.  The reason that this particular conjuncture has come about requires examination and is rooted in the history of India's forest management system and the particular configuration of struggles in forest areas.  The dynamics behind this are of particular interest to those who are interested in radical social change. 

This paper is a somewhat expanded version of the note "Forest Areas, Political Economy and the Left Progressive Line on Operation Green Hunt" of May 2010.  I hope to expand the arguments into this into a full article in the near future if possible.

Licensed To Kill- Salwa Judum

by Tanvi Bahuguna

Naxalism has its roots in socio-economic disparities prevalent within the State. However, the loss of life and... more Naxalism has its roots in socio-economic disparities prevalent within the State. However, the loss of life and property due to its extremist ways cannot be ruled out either. Salwa Judum formed in the year 2005, was hailed as an uprising of the villagers against the atrocities by the Naxals. But arming of the tribals by the State on the sly to fight the rebels resulted in an aggravated situation leading to heavy displacement of tribals. Salwa Judum resorted to the same violent measures o its own people, against which it was supposedly standing up. Where on the one hand its members talked of protecting the people from the Maoist atrocities, it resorted to killings and arson against whosoever it branded as a Maoist sympathizer.

This paper is a small attempt to look into State sponsored crime in the garb of peoples movement called Salwa Judum. The Chapters look into the spread of Naxalism in the region and the counter efforts made by the tribals.