Counter-offensives against the growing Maoist menace in India need to be based on a spirit of conflict resolution, as distinguished from conflict management.
Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh, in an article on left-wing extremism (“From Tirupati to Pashupati?” The Hindu, October 14, 2011), observed candidly: “It is not the naxals who have created the ground conditions ripe for their ideology — it is the singular failure of successive governments both in the States and the Centre.”
There lay the main cause of the festering sore of naxalism, often characterised as left-wing extremism. It is no longer a fringe phenomenon — it has marched forward to become an expansive armed movement since the ‘spring thunder' in 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 in Madhya Pradesh as well. In all, the area comprises 200 districts, 60 of them labelled hyper-sensitive. This is a large swathe. They are also reported to be networking with insurgent outfits in the northeastern region.
Strong base, ideology
The development of the Maoist movement may be one of the most striking political developments in India's socio-economic ambit. 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.”
Their selection of the ‘theatre of war,' centre of gravity and catchment included geographically backward, isolated, inaccessible, inhospitable and hilly terrain, areas with poor or light or dysfunctional governance, social, economic and infrastructural deficits and deprived, alienated segments of society. No wonder, the Maoists have found a ready-made space to strike an emotional chord with the deprived lot and wear the mantle of Robinhood and benefactor.
Left-wing extremism did not break in out of the blue in the 1960s. The process of social transformation was already on, marked by a disconnect from developmental currents, deficit of basic services and governance, disjunction between policies, programmes and delivery. A political vacuum provided stimulus.
Left-wing extremists have followed the path, ideology and strategies that Mao Zedong enunciated in his ‘Red Book,' ‘Peasants Uprising in 1927' and ‘ Principle of Operation' — all practised during the Chinese Revolution against Chiang Kai-shek. Those doctrines called upon cadres to fight against tyranny, social and economic injustices, poverty, corruption, lack of development, land-related issues and other public issues, and bring about a brief reign of terror in every rural area to fight a wrong, and foment hatred against the establishment and the elites.
Taking a leaf out of Mao's dicta the Maoists in India, in their exposition on ‘ Strategy and Tactic of Indian Revolution,' seek the seizure of power by armed force (through the barrel of the gun) and the settlement of issues by war. Causing damage to state infrastructure was the “central aim and highest form of revolution.” The Maoists have sought to push their agenda through armed struggle, killing, extortion, ransom, arson, sabotage, and attacks on police forces and posts. They have stockpiled arms and ammunition and built up money power and strike power.
The game plan was to capture power ultimately, by overthrowing the democratic government. 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-to-the-cause cadres. They have intimate knowledge of the terrain and territory, and rapport with the local populace, which helps them elude the security forces. The state security forces have yet to achieve a high degree of motivation, involvement and intelligence-backed operations and capture the nuances and dynamics of guerrilla warfare, to be able to match the PLGA.
State action
State-sponsored combat action against the Maoists was inevitable as militant, violent and unconstitutional means were the antithesis of democracy and the “grammar of anarchy.” The Supreme Court, on a writ petition filed by social anthropologist Professor Nandini Sundar and others, ruled: “Notwithstanding the fact that there may be social and economic circumstances and certain policies followed by the state itself, leading to emergence of extremist violence, we cannot condone it. The state necessarily has the obligations, moral and constitutional to combat such extremism and provide security to the people of the country.”
The state has launched many offensives against left-wing extremists. However, these have centred on the mechanics of one-dimensional, hawkish, knee-jerk, militaristic armed offensives, often attracting allegations of excesses and human rights violations. Undeterred by state-sponsored offensives, the Maoists have unleashed a reign of terror, bloodshed and militancy. Far from being contained, they have risen again and again. Counter-offensives against Maoists need to be based on a spirit of conflict resolution, distinguished from conflict management. Also needed are swift developmental thrusts, psychological operations to obliterate negative and warped perceptions about the establishment and the security forces, zero tolerance to the violation of human rights and excesses, confidence-building measures, and healing touches. Also needed are attractive rehabilitation packages for those who surrender, and service-oriented civic action programmes by security forces. Such a framework could bring about an abiding end to the conflict situation — as was tried with tremendous success in Tripura to overcome a three-decade-long insurgency. Just declaring a ‘war,' bluntspeak, provocative challenges, and ruthless, indiscriminate offensives would not be an appropriate or creative response. These tend to be counterproductive and alienate the masses. An obsession with crackdown first and development later will not work. Counter-offensive actions must walk on two legs, go hand in hand with rapid, accelerated developmental interventions and security instrumentalities in a synergetic and symbiotic manner.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar put it perceptively in an interview to Frontline: “Maoists can't be finished off through force alone. When governments fail to deliver, all kind of forces spring up. His government did concretise it in a mechanism of “aapki sarkar aapke dwar (your government at your doorstep”) that helped check the upsurge of Maoists in Bihar to a considerable extent.
The Maoist movement is yet to leave an imprint as a mass uprising, let alone as a revolution. All that it has done is to spin-off terrorism by fomenting local issues and opportunistically and slyly attacking or ambushing security forces. Once the forces swoop down and strike, the Maoists retreat and cede the area, only to resurface off and on. Of late, lumpen elements and criminals have jumped on to the Maoist bandwagon, donning the robes of political recognition and respectability but really to indulge in gory criminal acts. The Maoists were initially inspired and fired by ideology. But over the years they deviated from the ideological currents to take to adventurism and terrorism. This has been reflected in the killing of innocent citizens, small and marginal farmers, women and adolescents, in contrast with the drive for the ‘annihilation of class enemies.'
The critical core of the policy to counter the Maoists should dwell essentially on a pro-poor-centric 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.
(The author is a former Governor of Tripura and Chhattisgarh.)
Keywords: Maoist menace, left-wing extremism, People's Liberation Guerilla Army, Compact Revolutionary Zone, Naxalbaris
The Maoist movement is basically a socio-economic issue, its forerunner being the Naxalite activities of the sixties. The prime reason for this has been well brought out by the author but he should have added that this socio-economic issue has been cleverly converted into a security related one so that the looting of development funds can continue unabated and instead of the netas, the security persons have become the villain of the piece. The National Tribal Policy for instance, has been shelved because big business houses have bought it out. India continues to be in the top bracket of the World Corruption Index and the bottom one in Human Development. There is a feeling that we might be heading the same way as France circa 1789 since conditions are similar. I wonder what an Indian guillotine would be like!
A well presented article. Yes; conflict resolution is the answer. The term ‘conflict resolution’ includes a vast number of activities that need to be fulfilled to realize its full import. The development programmes need to be executed on a war footing, while keeping at bay the already hardened Maoists. The strategy is to contain their number and not proliferate. Towards this requirement the primary needs like food, clothing, health and education should be given top priority. The backward areas need to be identified and prioritized; a separate empowered body should supervise the concerned elements of State machinery for the active implementation of the welfare programmes (like the Supreme Court monitoring the CBI); set targets for achievements and the concerned elements should be made accountable with some punitive action for failures. Such active and aggressive steps would wean away the villagers’ support to these covert organizations, ultimately leading them to join the mainstream.
A good article. I am sure there's broad agreement on the author's key points amongst the rational within our midst. It is imperative to recognise and acknowledge the injustices towards the backward classes in our country, as Mr Jairam Ramesh so eloquently did recently. Indeed the Maoist phenomenon cannot be defeated by force alone but requires a "holistic" approach which encompasses the entirely peaceful victory over hearts and minds. No new Maoist recruitment ought to take place. The author's idea of an attractive package for Maoists who seek to reform themselves is an excellent one. However, there are still likely to be large swathes of hardcore Maoists who believe that they can prevail militarily. They need to be disabused of this notion in no uncertain terms before there will be any commitment to negotiations. An infliction of a Dantewada-like tragedy on the inveterate Maoist elements would begin to sow the necessary seeds of doubt. Unfortunately such is the reality.
The article correctly points out the root cause of naxalite movement in Eastern India. Government neglect, Lack of development, Corruption and exploitation are primary reasons. Formation of smaller states like Telangana, Lokpal Bill, Citizens charter will enable the government to reach the most backward areas. The government must have a conflict resolution approach and utilise services of Doctors and Teachers who can be bridge the gap between government and the most remote areas. Surrendered Naxalites must be rehabilitated in the army and border security forces. It is interesting to note that in areas with Maoists - AP, Orissa, WB have less crime compared to those without them as in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Kashmir.
The article has rationally explained the conflict and offered some solutions. Until the very character of Indian state changes from bias towards the elite in favour of the underprivileged people, the basic conflict will not disappear and the see-saw game continues with periods of peace in between.The militants have to realise that even in changed regime, governance is necessary and any State uses its forces against its opponents and former socialist countries were no exception to this. Peaceful resolution is preferable in the present century and people want better life but not destruction of life and property which is another form of labour.
Naxalism is not being controlled only due to the fact that it is supported by many politicians. If LTTE can be overthrown what this Naxals are?
Along with the economic development of the naxal affected region, the personnel development of the people also is very much required. Dependence on governments do not help. These activities should be taken by nationalist NGOs.
sum photo shoot surrender in front of media and package does not end Maoism.It is an radical thought and day by day it increasing.As far as army and joint forces are tortured poor man & woman(Adivasi)Indian politician have no ideology.Indian laws are British Law that should be change.Indian Govt. should recognize the poor Adivasi as an Indian Citizen first.In the name of Development the present Govt. in center and State want to cease political power in the Maoist affected area.If in the effected area development should happen then the commission and pocket money goes to contractor and developer nothing should happen.
Very good article. Scheduled areas in country are vulnerable to militants, insurrgence etc. Plebiscite shall be done by the governments before starting any developmental projects as the people living in these areas have unique culture and they totally depends on the resources avaiable in these areas. our governments need to give complete assurance to the people in scheduled areas for the protection their protection we need a strong local governments to motivate people.
This analysis is not new, we have and can have from past histories of the world, ranging from chinese revolution to Cuba revolution. The constitution itself talk about inclusive growth, but its only in the paper, still poor people of this country suppress in every field, they have very few representative to raise their voice, even media ignore them,again their uncertainties increased day by day with numerous suppression from ruling class, so gun is the only option for them to make hear/listen those who were sitting in the house of God. Beside listening to their uncertainties, the state make frame them in the name of insurgencies/terrorism and combat them with gun by spending crore of money, I can say this is the actual scenario, this can't make stop the ongoing war, might be state will overcome the insurgencies/terrorism for short period of time, but the ideology of raising their issue will remain,unless the state change their mindset politically.
Very good article. The author talked about development and security in parallel which is the ideal solution,but executing the plan will really be a big challenge. 1.For development,we can hire local educated people for goverment post who really can give the the confidence to local people,instead of sending more people from outside.Infrastructure building can be the biggest boost to the confidence of the local people and make them united mentally to see progressive picture of region through government endeavour.Also there should be regular conversation between the gram panchayat and government officials for development related discussion.In this way they will be alienated from the Maoist's groove. 2.From security point of view,once we start confidence building measured,information related to maoists can be garthered easily. Putting mainstream mindset among adivasis,we can eradicate the maoism.
The author has made plausible suggestions. A comprehensive conflict resolution approach is needed. However, the first step in conflict resolution process is to identify the stakeholders. In the current situation they are the government representing people of India, maoists, and the local population of the affected regions. There is congruency in the mutual interests of two parties that is the government and the local populace, both want peace, respect, and progress. However, the main stakeholders maoists are so far ideologically apart that there is no apparent meeting ground. Conflict resolution is feasible when there is commonality of interests. With such a deep ideological schism existing between the government and maoists, talking of conflict resoultion is unrealistic. Maoists must renounce gun to let the reconciliation process start. Failing which, government has only one option to counter them, that is force.
Good article, but we don't know what is government doing for poor families and poor farmers living below poverty line , govt. is busy in making policies for high profile people and corporate and for their own politicians. Benifit of economic development should also be deliver to farmers.
I think that the maoists should be encouraged to surrender and to rehabilitate they should be given the responsibility to govern and ensure the development of the area where they were operating as maoists. This could be done by inculcating them in the governing hierarchy in places of "Mukhiyas" or local MLAs or MPs.
A good analysis!What creates Maoist-insurgency and it's remedies are highly transparent.It's clear that if someone doesn't get food,shelter and sufficient remuneration,the basic needs,obviously he would be directed towards some kinds of crime.Maoist upsurge are one of them.Unfortunately the day -to-day scams will adversely affect it.If people see that without any earnest effort,politicians make thousands of crore money,they also would be attracted towards some type of wrong-doing.Any type of crime is just a result of social difference between people to people,after all who doesn't want a prosperous and luxurious life.Extremism,terrorism ,robbery ,riot,arson all types of evil are the result of just social difference.If you go to counter anyone ,all of them will more or less mitigate.What is needed to do just raise a faith in people about state,governance and law,and take them in belief that all of them are here for uplift them.But unfortunately i am not seeing any such type of gesture!!
Very nice article by D. N. Sahaya .Hope "Mr.Nitesh Kumar" will come out with excellent plan to this problem.He is one among the few persons who are thinking about the poor and the development.
selection of words or labeling of LEFT WING EXTREMISM is not correct. It is a war of oppressed against the ruling ideology and power relation which is against the common people. When the state itself is extremely depended on armed force to support the ruling elite from delhi to adivasi areas then any kind of revolt deserve armed rebellion. Change your perception before analyzing /concluding on such questions.
Very good suggestions and beautifully crafted piece of writing Sir. But how do we achieve these? Manipur is also in the throes of insurgency that has gripped the state in a vice. I do not see any active signs of 'moral' responsibility coming from the State yet. This gloom is bound to spell doom very soon if it is allowed to persist unabated.
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