Nexalism Some Facts
- Naxalbari
in West Bengal in 1967.
- The
Maoists have since carved out what they call a Compact Revolutionary Zone
(CRZ), or Red Corridor, stretching from Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh to
Pashupati in Nepal, encompassing parts of seven States: Andhra Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar.
- They
have their footprint inMadhya Pradesh aswell. In all, the area comprises
200 districts, 60 of them labelled hyper-sensitive.
- An
expert group set up by the Planning Commission in 2008 on ‘Development
Challenge in Extremist Areas’ observed: “Naxalite movement has to be
recognised as a political movement with a strong base among the poor
peasantry and adivasis and though it professed long-term ideology of
capturing State power, in its day to day manifestation it was to be looked
upon basically as a fight for justice, equity, protection, security and
local development.”
- To
give teeth to their struggle, a military formation called the People’s
Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA) was formed. It has become a proficient
striking force.
- The
PLGA has army-line command, control, communication, sophisticated
weaponry, explosives, skills and guerilla-warfare tactics, combined with
motivated, passionate-tothe- cause cadres.
Solutions
The critical core of the policy to counter the Maoists should
dwell essentially on a pro-poorcentric credo, inclusive growth, a trinity of
security interventions, even socio-economic infrastructure dispensation in left
out ‘rain shadow’ areas. Capturing the hearts and minds of the alienated and
disempowered segments is critical. Of crucial significance are well-crafted,
integrated and multi-dimensional strategies. A positive mindset, sagacity and
clarity of vision and perception of the powers-that-be are essential. There
should be active political processes. Political vacuums should not exist. There
should be operational coordination among the affected States. Creative
responses to challenges, vibrant micro-level governing modules such as gram
panchayats and local bodies in Maoist-bound areas are needed. There should be
community involvement in the combat against extremism,modulated and humane
offensives of State security forces, and zero tolerance to human rights
violations and excesses. These should be blended with brainstorming
psychological operations to bring about changes in the psyche of turbulent and
anguished minds.
source - The Hindu
source - The Hindu