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INDIA DESK Pakistan Study Centre, University of the Punjab
Lahore, Pakistan
Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India
Muhammad Manzoor Elahi
Policy Report - December 2009
INDIA DESK - Pakistan Study Centre, University of the Punjab, Lahore Page 2
Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India 2009
* Muhammad Manzoor Elahi teaches at the Department of
Political Science, GC University, Lahore
INDIA DESK - Pakistan Study Centre, University of the Punjab, Lahore Page 3
Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India 2009
Pakistan Study Centre University of the Punjab
Lahore, Pakistan
December 2009
Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India
By
Muhammad Manzoor Elahi
In India, rampant rebellious and subversive
activities of Naxalites are casting slur upon the image
Policy Report
Research Panel:
Professor Dr. Massarrat Abid,
Director
Professor Dr. Syed Farooq Hasnat
Ahmad Ejaz
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Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India 2009
of world’s biggest democracy. In recent months,
naxalites attacks on passenger trains, mining
companies and decapitating of police personnel has
challenged national prestige and
dignity, of the country, as well
posed a serious security threat.
The growing influence of
Naxalites and “glorious-liberal”
Indian image delineate the
dichotomy of Indian democratic
government. Such conundrum is
hampering the India aspiration
to become a regional power.
Owing to uncontrolled dreadful
and appalling insurgency by
Naxals in India, Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh in 2006 called
Naxalites, “the single biggest
internal security challenge
ever faced by our country”.1
In September 2009, he
reiterated the threat and said
that the country was “losing
the battle against Maoist
rebel” and added; now dealing
with left-wing extremism
requires a nuanced strategy - a
holistic approach. 2
In order to grasp the
essence of Naxalite-Maoist
Insurgency/Naxalism, let‟s take
into account the answers of the
following questions:
Who are Naxalites, what do they want and despite the
ideological affinity are these Indian-Maoists different from
Nepalese-Maoists?
What factors account for the genesis of Naxalite-Maoist
Movement?
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Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India 2009
What is the quantum of their socio-political, geographical
and military strength?
Is Naxalite really a secessionist movement or just an anti-
government rebellion?
What is the level of ramifications of insurgencies over
Indian national cohesion and how will India move towards
the East (impoverish region) West (enrich region)
syndrome?
Is this insurgency aided and abetted by foreign-forces?
Has Indian government chalked out any counter-
insurgency plan?
The word Naxalites derives
from the village of West Bengal
“Naxalbari”. Geographically
naxalites wield their influence in
North-Eastern states - Chhatt-
isgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar and
West Bengal and South-
Eastern states Orissa,
Maharashtra and Andhra
Pradesh. Impoverishment,
scarcity of basic necessities of
life and absence of governmental
reforms are the dominant
characteristics of these regions.
Naxalite demand effective and
applicable land reforms, level
playing fields and resource
management between East
(impoverished regions) and West
(enriched regions). The nomen-
clature of this insurgency is two-
fold. One is geographical i.e.
Naxalites and the other is
ideological i.e. Maoist. Maoist
ideology gave an impetus to
Naxals for their uprising. As
Hindustan Times writes that,
"The naxal movement, which
was inspired by Chinese
leader Mao Zedong, took its
root in tribal dominated
Srikakulam agency in Andhra
Pradesh in December 1968." 3
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Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India 2009
Affinity between Nepalese
Maoists and Indian Maoists is a
natural phenomenon, but the
means of geographically
different Maoists to achieve ends
are totally different. Nepalese
Maoists are „moderate‟ and
adhere to the policy of joining a
democratic coalition gover-
nment. On the other hand Indian
Maoists are „radicals‟ and
staunch follower of Mao‟s
ideology of armed struggle and
revolution and armed struggle.
They argue that only armed
struggle can eradicate social
evils and purify the society.
Naxalites project guerrilla
warfare as propounded by Mao-
ze-Dung. They consider parlia-
mentary politics as futile and
advocate for continued armed
struggle and people‟s war to
seize the state affairs.
Naxalite-Maoist insurgency
is the outcome of dichotomy in
the policies of Indian
government. India, which is
beating the drum of eradicating
feudalism and harbinger of
democratic system in South
Asia, has failed to match slogan
with its acts on ground. Jawahar
Lal Nehru had propounded that
‘abolition of Zimindar system’
is the prerequisite for the
consolidation and culmination of
parliamentary democracy, but
Nehru‟s policy was not
implemented in its letter and
spirit. Consequently, the land
lords of north east regions
stonewalled the land reforms,
which infuriated locals e.g.
Dalits and Adivasis. Even today
in Andhra Pradesh there are
landlords who own between
1000 to 1500 acres of land.
These landlords have political
kinship and mostly are politicians
who always denounce land
reforms.4 Negligence of govern-
mental authorities, sense of
alienation, deprivation and
exploitation of poor class -Dalits
and Adivasis by the industrialists
and feudal lords gave birth to
Naxalite-Maoist Movement,
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Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India 2009
which picked up the guns to fight
for their rights.
Naxalite movement came
to light as a „peasant uprising‟ in
1967 in the village of Naxalbari.
Charu Mazumdar5 was the
main force behind this uprising
who wanted to overthrow feudal
order by launching agrarian
revolution. In this tumultuous
scenario the death of Mazumdar
in police custody added fuel to
fire and gave a momentum and
pace for the uprising of this
movement. Later government‟s
juvenile and atrocious policies
further strengthen their anti-
government stance. The
movement which started as a
peasant uprising now exerts its
influence over more than 180
Indian districts out of 630. Along
with the aforesaid affected
regions Madhya Pradesh, Andhra
Pradesh and Karnataka are also
becoming the epicenter of
Naxalite insurgencies. These all
regions are known as Red
Corridors. Naxalites has control
over 92 square kilometer land.
In the first half of 2009, 56
Maoist attacks have been
reported. According to the Indian
intelligence agencies the
movement has 22000 armed
cadre and over 50000 regular
members. Politically, Naxalites
got momentum in 2004. Maoist
rebel organization People‟s War
Group and the Maoist Comm-
unist Center of India merged and
formed a single coherent body
i.e. Communist Party of India
(Maoist).
Within 40 years, unbridled
social, geographical and political
proliferation of naxalites is
imposing severe challenges to
the Indian national integration,
although the Indian State in
general, has been in a state of
denial. Naxalites are acting as
the state. To say otherwise
would mean to admit the
possibility of imperium in
imperio, a state within a state or
a government within a gover-
nment. Now intelligentsia perc-
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Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India 2009
eives rampant influence of
Naxalites in India as a
secessionist movement. The fact
is that, Naxalite Movement is an
insurgency and has anti-
government stance. The United
States Department of Defense
(DOD) defines insurgency as "An
organized
movement aimed
at the overthrow of
a constituted
government
through use of
subversion and
armed conflict."
In a secret
interview to a
weekly magazine
„Open‟, Naxalite
leader Ganpathi vehemently
stated, “the people will rise up
like a tornado under our party
leadership to wipe-out the
reactionary blood sucking
vampires ruling our country”.6 At
another point Ganpathi titled
government as „sharks‟ who
want to ransack the wealth and
drive the tribal people of the
region to further impov-
erishment.
Snowball reverberations of
Naxalite insurgencies are hind-
ering India‟s growth to become a
regional power. The ramif-
ications of Naxalites-Maoist
movement can
be summed up
as follows:-
Naxals
main targets are
security forces,
telecomm-
unication
towers, railways
and power
transmission
centers. Now educational
institutions e.g. schools are
becoming the prey of rebel
fighting. At least 30 schools have
been attacked in the remote
state of Jharkand and 12 in Bihar
since November 2008.7 School
children are more prone to
traumatic disorder. According to
“Naxals main targets are security forces, telecomm-unication towers, railways and power transmission centers. Now educational institutions e.g. schools are becoming the prey of rebel fighting”.
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Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India 2009
statistics tabled in the Lok
Sabha, on December 16, 2008, a
total of 62 tele-communication
towers have been damaged in
Maoist blasts between 2005 and
November 30, 2008, in the
States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar,
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maha-
rashtra and Orissa. 8
India is facing a massive
Human Rights violation. Both
unbridled naxalites activities and
offensive atrocious strategies by
government sponsored self-
defense groups e.g. Salwa
Judum & The Ranvir Sena and
counter-insurgency military
forces are responsible for gross
human rights violation. In 2008,
the state worst hit by Maoist
violence is Chattishgarh, where
rebels killed 241 people security
forces.9 The causalities and
collateral damage in other areas
depict parlous and acute picture
of violation of human rights.
“More than 6,000 people
have died during the rebels‟
decades-long fight for a
communist state in parts of
India.” (BBC News, December
19, 2007)
Another alarming situation
for India is energy and mineral
sector. The areas where Naxals
have influence are energy El-
Dorado regions. The rebellion is
strongest in states that have
abundant reserves of natural
resources specially „coal‟. As
reported by the Indian media
“India‟s electricity gene-
ration is predominantly coal-
based and the five states in
which the movement is
strongest account for 85% of
India's coal deposits”.10
Notwithstanding this Indian
defense expenditures are
shooting up like a rocket.
M.L.Kumawat special secretary
of Internal Security and Chief of
the Bureau Security Forces
(BSF) told Reuters in an
interview that, “1.7 billion
dollars would be spent over
the next five years to
increase deployment along
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Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India 2009
Most of India‟s top
nuclear and missile
facilities are
located in the
extremely Naxal
terrorists struck
districts of India,
located deep down
in the “Red
Corridor”.
Pakistan and Bangladesh
borders and modernize the
force”. 11 This whole scenario is
hampering the economic boom
of India, which is aspiring to
compete with such growing
Asian countries like China.
Naxalites access to Indian
nuclear arsenals
is the most
alarming and
perturbing
situation not
only for the
Indian but for
the whole world
as well. The
Daily Mail‟s
investigations
indicate that,
most of India‟s
top nuclear and missile
facilities are located in the
extremely Naxal terrorists
struck districts of India,
located deep down in the
“Red Corridor”.12 Pakistan has
been subject to U.S. and some
European criticism that its
nuclear arsenals are not in safe
hands. On the contrary, the
same sources are mum on this
frightening situation in India.
Comparatively, the naxalites
have more impetus and rapidity
than Talibans in Pakistan.
To leash the unbridled
guerrilla activities of
naxals Indian
Government has
decided to deal them
with iron hand.
According to Home
Ministry officials,
some 75,000 federal
paramilitary forces
along with personnel
drawn from the state
police will carry out
the offensive against
the Maoists. Six districts in the
worst hit states of Chhattisgarh,
Jharkhand, Orissa and
Maharashtra will be the focus of
the operations initially.13 The
offensive has been launched on
December 3, 2009. This
operation is codenamed as
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Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India 2009
Operation Green Hunt. This
offensive, Green Hunt, was
launched against insurgents in
Chhattisgarh, the epicenter of
violence between Maoist fighters
and security forces.
The alleged Invisible
hands and foreign assistance in
the rampant influence of
naxalites is a matter of grave
concern for the Indian
government. Maoists triumph in
Nepal in 2008 is a clear
indication of domino-effects for
India. Recently, Indian Home
Minister P. Chidambaram
mentioned about a possible
supply of arms from Nepal. His
apprehension came true when a
senior Standing Committee
member of the Unified
Communist Party of Nepal-
Maoist (UCPN-M) CP Gajurel
aptly remarked that "We have
extended our full support and
cooperation to the Indian
Maoists, who are launching
armed revolt." He also added
that "They are doing what
they think is right". He further
pointed out that "The Maoists
are launching their
movement in India and we
are launching ours here,
there is no need to oppose
the movement launched by
them".14
What type of support and
cooperation they have extended
towards Indian Maoists is still
debatable and intelligentsia is
mooting upon it. The fact is
there is no ambiguity in
recognizing a datum of greater
natural affinity between Chinese-
Nepalese Maoist and Indian
Maoists, but it doesn‟t mean to
perceive such ideological kinship
aid
and abet form Nepal or China.
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Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India 2009
The fact is that the
Naxalites demand massive
reforms for the welfare of the
Dalits and Adivasis. If Indian
democratic government launches
offensive strategies, continues
torture and extra judicial killings,
deals them with „sticks‟ and
gives no „carrots‟, then there is a
possibility of a start of a bloody
revolution in India which could
exacerbate the situation and
generations would heal the
wounds.
Postscript
“The Indian government sources in New Delhi, quoting Indian Home Secretary claimed that India is all set to launch joint army, Air Force and paramilitary forces operations against Naxalites in March 2010. The Indian Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS) has also approved the government’s plan to counter Maoists in the six affected states. Initially, the operation would be carried out in four states namely Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and Maharashtra, where according to Indian Intelligence reports most of the Maoist infrastructure, training camps and strongholds are located. On the basis of results of operations in these four states, joint Indian forces will be moved into remaining two states as well as, other affected areas. In all, joint operations will be carried out in phases in 20 Naxals affected states.” Ashraf Javed, The Nation,
January 6, 2010
INDIA DESK - Pakistan Study Centre, University of the Punjab, Lahore Page 13
Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India 2009
NOTES:
1 Armed Conflicts Report - India-Andhra Pradesh
http://www.ploughshares.ca/libraries/ACRText/ACR-IndiaAP.html. Retrieved
on:14 Dec, 2009.
2 India is 'losing Maoist battle'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8256692.stm Retrieved on: 13 Dec,
2009.
3 The Hindustan Times, Friday, January 14, 2000.
4 Who helps the Naxals? http://www.indianexpress.com/news/we-support-the-indian-naxals-concede-
nepal-maoists/536712/ Retrieved on: 13 Dec,2009
5 The News, “The 'tornado' awaiting India” Tuesday, October 27, 2009 6 Ibid.
7 Daily Dawn, “Indian school caught in middle of rebel fight”, Thursday, 10
December, 2009.
8 Institute of Defense Studies and Analysis, “Maoists‟ Attacks on infrastructure”
http://www.idsa.in/idsastrategiccomments/MaoistsAttacksonInfrastructure_P
VRamana_200209 Retrieved on: 13 Dec,2009
9 Daily Dawn, “Rights abuses fuel Maoist insurgency in India”, Saturday, 30
May, 2009
10 Rising Maoist Insurgency in India
http://www.globalpolitician.com/22790-india Retrieved on: 12 Dec,2009
11 Daily Dawn, “India‟s other militancy problem” Tuesday, 09 Jun,2009
INDIA DESK - Pakistan Study Centre, University of the Punjab, Lahore Page 14
Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India 2009
12 The most vulnerable naked nukes of India
http://www.dailymailnews.com/1001/14/FrontPage/FrontPage1.htm
Retrieved on:11 Dec,2009
13 India takes off against 'Red Taliban'
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KJ16Df02.html Retrieved on: 10
Dec ,2009
14 We support the Indian naxals, concede Nepal Maoists http://www.indianexpress.com/news/we-support-the-indian-naxals-concede-
nepal-maoists/536712/ Retrieved on: 12 Dec, 2009
References:
News Papers
The Hindustan Times, Friday, January 14, 2000
Daily Dawn, “Rights abuses fuel Maoist insurgency in India”: report,
Saturday, 30 May, 2009
Daily Dawn, “India’s other militancy problem” Tuesday, 09 Jun,2009
The News, “The 'tornado' awaiting India” Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Daily Times, “Villagers flee war zone as India battles Maoist”, Saturday,
Nov 7, 2009
Daily Dawn, “Indian school caught in middle of rebel fight”, Thursday, 10 December, 2009
Webliography
India takes off against 'Red Taliban' http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KJ16Df02.html Retrieved on:
10 Dec ,2009
The most vulnerable naked nukes of India http://www.dailymailnews.com/1001/14/FrontPage/FrontPage1.htm
Retrieved on:11 Dec,2009
We support the Indian naxals, concede Nepal Maoists
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/we-support-the-indian-naxals-
concede-nepal-maoists/536712/ Retrieved on: 12 Dec, 2009
INDIA DESK - Pakistan Study Centre, University of the Punjab, Lahore Page 15
Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India 2009
Rising Maoist Insurgency in India http://www.globalpolitician.com/22790-india Retrieved on: 12 Dec,2009
India is 'losing Maoist battle'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8256692.stm Retrieved on: 13 Dec,2009
Who helps the Naxals?
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/we-support-the-indian-naxals-
concede-nepal-maoists/536712/ Retrieved on: 13 Dec,2009
Institute of Defense Studies and Analysis, “Maoists‟ Attacks on
infrastructure” http://www.idsa.in/idsastrategiccomments/MaoistsAttacksonInfrastructur
e_PVRamana_200209 Retrieved on: 13 Dec,2009
Armed Conflicts Report - India-Andhra Pradesh
http://www.ploughshares.ca/libraries/ACRText/ACR-IndiaAP.html.
Retrieved on:14 Dec, 2009
INDIA DESK - Pakistan Study Centre, University of the Punjab, Lahore Page 16
Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency in India 2009
Publisher:
Pakistan Study Centre
Phone: (92-42) 99231148
Email: indiadeskpu@gmail.com
Web: www.pscpu.edu.pk
Material can be freely published in any form with credit to India Desk,
Pakistan Study Centre, University of Punjab, Lahore
India Desk is a research wing of the Pakistan Study Centre, located in the
University of the Punjab, Quaid-i-Azam, Lahore, Pakistan. The Centre, was
established in 1981 with the main objective to promote and undertake
research on themes relating to history, politics, foreign affairs, economy,
culture and languages of the region.
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