Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal figure prominently in the list of Maoist-hit States in the country. Image: The broken glass of an AC compartment of the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajadhani Express after supporters of Maoists detained the train in West Bengal. Photo: Arunangsu Roy Chowdhury
Maoists claim they fight for the tribals in Central India to save their land and lives. Image: A tribal woman whose husband was killed by policemen during an operation against Maoists in Dantewada in Chattisgarh on October 20, 2009. Photo: AP
In 2008, 638 people, 210 of them civilians and 214 police personnel ,died in Maoist violence. Image: Tribal women,who were arrested for suspected Maoist links, on way to their home in Lalgarh, West Bengal, on October 23, 2009. Photo: PTI
During the recent Lok Sabha elections, Maoists unleashed violence in many parts of the country. Image: Maoist leader Kishanji interacts with the media before releasing the kidnapped police officer Atindranath Dutta at Bholagara village in West Bengal. Photo: PTI
Maoist violence now claims more lives than the fighting in Jammu and Kashmir. Image: A policeman's body is seen on a chair after he was shot dead by Naxalites in Sakrail, West Bengal, on October 20, 2009.
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram says that the government was willing to hold talks with the Communist Party of India (Maoist) “on any issue that concerns them and the people they claim to represent.” Image: The special police officers mainly from Salva Juddum undergo training in Konta. Photo: G N Rao
However, Mr. Chidambaram said the Maoists themselves had no apparent wish to enter into a dialogue with Government. Image: Social activists protest against the arrest of Chhatrdahar Mahato, convener of Plolice Santrash Birodhi Janasadharaner Committee, in Kolkata on October 8, 2009. Photo: Sushanta Patronobish
Supporters of Maoists say 'multinational mining companies eye the rich mineral wealth of the tribal-inhabited Central India'.Image: Chatradhar Mahato talks to villagers at Daintikri near Lalgarh in West Bengal. Photo: Arunangsu Roy Chowdhury.
They say 'those who fight in Central India are not mostly Maoists, but tribals themselves'. Image: Ace film actor and director, Aparna Sen, theatre actor Shaonli Mitra, Bengali Poet Joy Goswami, actor Koushik interact with Chatradhar Mahato in Lalgarh on June 21, 2009. Photo: Arunangsu Roy Chowdhury
Tribals from Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, who have been affected because of the armed conflict between Goverment and Maoists, at a meet organised by Citizens Initiative for Peace in New Delhi on 20 November, 2009. Photo: V.V.Krishnan
Maoists escort kidnapped police officer Atindranath Dutta before his release in West Midnapore district on October 23, 2009. Photo: PTI
West Bengal police team backed by CRPF is seen beating the PCPA supporters near Pirakata, enroute to Lalgarh on June 18, 2009. Photo: Arunangsu Roy Chowdhury