The Naxalite–Maoist insurgency

India’s Red Rebellion

Who?The Indian Maoist Communist Party is an outlawed organisation in India who seek to bring down the state and install a Maoist government. It numbers at about 20,000 armed militants although there are another 40,000 badly armed militiamen. They are made up of poor labourers and villagers and they believe their fight is justified as they say they are being exploited by mining corporations and capitalism, and that their land is being taken away from them and they are being sidelined in relation to monetary interests.

They fight a guerrilla war in the jungle and are often involved in skirmishes with police. Over 10,000 people have died in these skirmishes, including politicians, policemen, businessmen, insurgents and civilians. They have also attacked buildings such as government schools and have derailed trains.

What have they done?

They govern the areas they control and have their own education system and courts, which have received controversy. They enforce strict Maoist laws, and execute people for going against them.

Mao Zedong, famous dictator of China who killed over 40 million people.

The fighting has taken place along a place called the Red Corridor, which is one of the poorest regions in India.

It has gone on since 1967 but has not achieved media attention outside of India.

The Indian Prime Minister said that the insurgency was the biggest internal threat to India’s national security.

Where?

India has responded by labelling the insurgent movement as a Terrorist organisation. They have often been brutal in their way of dealing with the insurgency, for example they have armed civilian populations and instructed them to fight back against the Maoists.

In 2010, there was a large Government offensive forcing the rebels back into the jungle and reclaiming a lot of territory.

India’s response

• I believe first of all, dialogue must be set up. Compromises must be made between the government over issues such as unemployment and land rights for the poor rural communities. This would lower tensions and make the population more compliant as instead of criticizing fundamental parts of India’s structure like radical religious groups, a lot of the problem is economic.

• Secondly, I think that the Indian Government should educate rural populations and help those neglected communities to prosper via enterprise and investing in SME’s in these areas, as it has been successful in deprived areas of Africa. The Indian Government must continue having a holistic approach to dealing with the problem and not just treat it as a law and order problem.

• Thirdly, I believe that there is a portion of the Maoist insurgency that would not give up fighting, even if some of their demands were met due for ideological reasons. A special counter-Maoist unit must be set up and trained especially to fight them.

• Fourthly, the Maoists must cease destroying vital infrastructure which is helping the rural areas to develop and enjoy the fruits of India’s growth.

• And finally, I believe that India must be vigilant in rooting out corruption in it’s governance and provide a good service to the people of India, instead of allowing it’s power to be abused.

5 Point Plan