Pun Intended: Naxals

Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Naxal Narrative

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 where Naxalites have a significant presence. Together they constitute a large area known as the Red Corridors, since all the Naxal attacks take place in these areas.

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	Maharashtra	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	Ranchi.	Open fire on Lakhisarai district court premises in Bihar	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	West Bengal	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.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Naxal Violence in Maharashtra

Two children have been the latest victims of the Naxal violence in Gadchiroli, near the Maharashtra – Chhattisgarh border. The Naxalite movement continues to persist in terms of geographical spread and intensity of violence. The Naxals have never feared security forces nor have they cowered under government pressure. They operate in the vacuum created by absence of administrative controls, espouse the local demands and brainwash the poor peasants joining the revolt so that their demands can be met.


Rescue operations for children injured by the Naxalites

Over the last year, Naxalites have been active in areas of Dantewada and Lalgarh but the recent attacks in Maharashtra have created great panic. The incident took place in the outskirts of the Savargaon village where two school children aged 10 and 11 were killed in crossfire during an encounter between the Naxalites and the security forces. The headmaster claimed that the children were victims of a grenade blast, which accidently landed in the classroom. Ten other students were also injured in this crossfire.

Reports say that the tussle between the Naxalites and the security forces began on the morning of October 8. Not only were the school children killed but a few security guards and villagers also fell victim to the violence.

Naxal violence in these areas was dormant for over a year until recently. The first instance of this violence was on October 5 when there was a Naxal landmine blast at Perimili, near the Maharashtra- Chhattisgarh border. This also resulted in the death and injury of security personnel.

Naxal attacks and police deaths have always captured media attention but nothing has ever been written about the number of Naxalites killed during such incidents. This one sided coverage stems largely from general perception of Naxalites as the opposition force. This may be true to some extent, but a lot of Naxalites are actually peasants and tribals fighting for their rights.

The Maoist ideology has made them stubborn and heartless. They seek to protect the ‘exploited’ classes through the barrel of a gun. Although there have been several strict measures taken against the Naxalites, no concrete solution has ever been arrived at. We can only wait and watch what the future holds for them. Will the Naxal violence be over or will the struggle continue forever?