Naxalism - A law and order or a social problem?

The growing influence of Naxalism in most part of the eastern and north-eastern India has poised a grave challenge for the administration as one of the single largest internal crisis. Tens of thousands of people in states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar and parts of north-eastern states are constantly living under Naxalites threat and the administration has so far failed to develop an effective strategy to counter the menace.

The recent incident of Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada jail, where nearly 300 jail inmates including over 100 Naxalites fled, shows a serious concern deteriorating the entire law and order situation. In fact Chhattisgarh among others states is the worst affected as Naxals almost run a parallel government in every districts of the city.

Naxal, the term coined from the name of Naxalbari village in West Bengal, where villagers in 1967 had started a revolutionary opposition to the landlords against their feudalistic character with arms in hand. Inspired with Mao Zedong’s ideology they were aimed to overthrow the upper class power.

This is completely same as Maoist insurgency in Nepal Kingdom which has extended its hand to indo-Nepal bordering to it. Their success in Nepal also strengthens Maoists in India. The government of India has no doubt taken some measures at different times to eliminate the influence but as it is some how larger than a law and order problem setting apart terrorism to be tackled.

The central government only can set up a special task force or grant aid to affected people in the states but that is in no sense going to facilitate the peace process until and unless there is a combine effort. This is the reason that large numbers of tribal in different Naxal affected sates are either joining naxal outfits or armed themselves to fight the nuisance.

Moreover, the caste based politics further worsen circumstances. With so much diversity in language, culture and region an able and selfless leadership is the exact need of the hour that can bring positive change by pointing social justice and economic inequalities.

Taking note of its origin, it is important for the administration to reckon all social aspects in the other India that stands apart from the signing half with underdeveloped and corrupt politics in states like Bihar and Chhattisgarh. A better co-operation with Centre and states with an effective leadership can only be able to bridge the gap for a better social and economic progress.