People generally think that Naxalites as those who hate the country and fight against the government. Ever since their first uprising in Naxalbari, West Bengal in 1967, the Naxalites have set off a series of bloody rebellions. Initially, the Naxalites targeted rich landlords by gathering the support of poor peasants and exploited tribals, but now their demands are different.
The Naxals are associated with Maoist- Leninist ideology of the far left. The movement which originated in West Bengal is now spread over many areas across the country.
As of now there are approximately 220 districts in 20 states of India
While most Naxal attacks in the recent years have take place in Lalgarh and Dantewada, the deaths caused by Naxalites in other areas cannot be ignored. The table below shows the frequency of Naxal attacks in India
Date | Place | Attack | Killed |
June 29, 2008 | Orissa | Anti Naxal police officers killed on a boat | 38 troops |
July 16, 2008 | Orissa | Landmine blast | 21 policemen |
April 13, 2009 | Orissa | Bauxite Mine attack | 10 paramilitary troops |
April 22, 2009 | Jharkhand | Train hijacked | 300 people |
May 22, 2009 | Jungle attack | 16 policemen | |
June 10, 2009 | Jharkhand | Firing | 9 policemen |
June 13, 2009 | Bokaro | Two landmine and bomb attacks | 10 policemen |
June 16, 2009 | Beherakhand | Landmine attack followed by armed assault | 11 police officers |
June 23, 2009 | Open fire on Lakhisarai district court premises in | Many injured | |
July 18, 2009 | Chhattisgarh | Torch a vehicle | 1 person |
July 27, 2009 | Chhattisgarh | Landmine blast | 6 people |
July 31, 2009 | Bijapur | Firing | Special Forces Policeman |
Sep 26, 2009 | Chhattisgarh | Firing | BJP MP killed |
Feb 15, 2010 | Firing | 24 personnel | |
April 4, 2010 | Orrisa | landmine blast | 11 policemen |
May 8, 2010 | Chhattisgarh | Vehicle Blast | Eight CRPF Jawans |
Source: Outlook
Owing to the frequency of these attacks, the government had declared Maharashtra on high alert in May 2010. All precautionary measures had been taken to avoid any such attack. The paramilitary personnel deployed in these areas had been advised to strictly follow Standard Operating Procedure and not to move around in large groups and to avoid using civilian vehicles.
Even the intelligence had said that the Naxal attacks in Gadchiroli could be possible.
Unfortunately the attacks did not take place in that period. The Naxalites planned these attacks in October and as usual the Indian security forces were caught off guard. The landmine blasts in Perimili and the cross firing on the Maharashtra- Chhattisgarh border.
This has been a massive setback to the Maharashtra government’s anti- Naxal campaign. Some feel that the Naxalites are trying to surprise the Indian security forces with their random attacks but according to many the sudden uprisings in certain areas are only a mechanism to make their presence felt or a manifestation of their revival in that region.
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