Naxalism

• Naxalism is derived from Naxalbari village of West Bengal (May 25, 1967 Police encounter in Naxalbari). Terrorist, does not belong to any movement or party. Naxalite is mostly in the Indian sub-continent and is a member of an armed revolutionary group advocating Maoist Communism. Terrorism is use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims. or
• Naxalism focuses on mass organisations while the Maoism relies mainly on arms. rebellion against marginalisation of the poor forest dwellers and gradually against the lack of development and poverty at the local level in rural parts of eastern India
• Operation Steeplechase was launched in early 1970s during the first phase of Naxal Movement. In the wake of emergency and 1971 war, Indira Gandhi mobilized the Indian Army against the Naxalites in West Bengal. It was a joint Army-CRPF-Police operation.

Strategy of the Naxal Movement

The theory and practice of revolutionary warfare has three distinctive phases. These are:

1. First, organization, consolidation, and preservation of regional base areas situated in isolated and difficult terrain; (Ex: Boys Movie song).
2. Second, progressive expansion, which includes attacks on police stations, sabotage, terror tactics, elimination of persons with alternate viewpoints, and procurement of arms and ammunition from the enemy, and (Ex: Ko Movie, Bank Robbery & Vasanth Became CM).
3. Third, destruction of the enemy through conventional battles including mobile warfare, protracted conflicts, negotiations, and unified command and control structures. (Create International affairs, fund for Attack & War).

(2004, Integrated all war group of different state and create umbrella term of People War Group & Do attacks).

• In practice, transition between the three phases might take years or decades.
• The objective of guerrilla strategy is gradual control of territory and increased perceived local legitimacy of rebel ideology.
• Once that occurs, there is relative loss of legitimacy for state forces.

Maoist Modus Operandi

• The LWE Organisations, in pursuit of their stated goal of overthrowing the government, resort to armed violence against anyone they perceive to be their enemy, and this includes innocent civilians also.
• They indulge in murders, abductions, extortions, etc.
• In many instances, they carry out high-profile murders and kidnappings to instil fear in their opponents and civilians.
• In many cases, they get the support of the tribal population in an area since they are seen as deliverers, in a situation where the authorities have failed to provide the basic amenities.
• They also intend to create a vacuum in the low-levels paving the way for their entrenchment in a parallel system of governance there.
• In spite of their violent means and stated rejection of religion, they get sympathy from some sections because they are seen as selfless in the pursuit of delivering justice to the people.
• In many places where they have dominant control, they collect taxes from the people.
• In LWE parlance, the Naxals seek to ‘liberate’ areas.
• Areas, where they have a dominant position vis-a-vis the State, are called liberated areas or zones.
• In guerilla zones, the Maoists and the government have an ‗equal footing.
• Places, where the government has the dominant control, are called base areas.
• The CPI – Maoist is banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
• An important feature of the LWE is the Front Organisation (Layer, Local People, Doctor etc… help for the Maoist People).
• Most Maoist organisations have front organisations which are led by educated people, who sympathise with the Maoist cause.

Challenges for Government

• Military vs Development Approach.
• Clear, hold and develop strategy – success in Andhra, Punjab and Manipur.
• Federal tussle between Union and States. (Police is under State, CRPF dominate police on Naxal area.
• So create unified Command authority (Collector, SP & Commandant of CRPF).
• Coordination among the armed forces at Union, State and Local level.
• Terrain – Hilly, Forest conditions – Tough for military operations.
• Collateral damage – Triggering further resentment.
• Expansion into adjoining areas during hard combat. (Ex: If Problem in WB, so naxal people go and hind in other state (Telangana) and radicalize people on the state(Telangana).
• Increasing association with anti-state forces – North East & Kashmiri Militants.
• International support.

Aspirational District Program (Give More importance in Implement all schemes full to Naxal district).

Operation Steeple Chase

• Operation Steeplechase was launched in early 1970s during the first phase of Naxal Movement.
• In the wake of emergency and 1971 war, Indira Gandhi mobilized the Indian Army against the Naxalites in West Bengal. It was a joint Army-CRPF-Police operation.
• In this operation, the strategy was to surround Naxal stronghold with an outer cordon of the Army, an inner cordon of the CRPF, and local police operating inside.
• The operation ended up with death of hundreds of Naxalites and imprisonment of thousands of them. It disrupted the network of the naxalite cadres and stalled the movement.
• Charu Mazumdar was imprisoned and soon he died in custody.
• The operation steeplechase marked the end of Naxalite movement, but only that particular phase and ultimately proved to be a cosmetic surgery only.
• The movement did not end and resurfaced because government had not removed the causes of the insurgency.

Two Models Utilized

1. Andhra’s Greyhounds model
• (1985 – Commando training for best police for Jungle warfare)
• Rehablitation + Greyhound (Battalion) + Intelligence + Modernisation of forces.
• If Naxal fighter Surrender – Govt give 3 lakh & Skill Development, give stipend until get good job.
2. Chhattisgarh’s Salwa Judum Model

(In local are two types of people, Naxal & Naxal Oppose persons. Chhattisgarh’s govt train the youth of naxal opposed person & Give arms for fight against Naxal).

• Salwa Judum (meaning "Peace March" or "Purification Hunt" in Gondi language) was a militia that was mobilised and deployed as part of anti-insurgency operations in Chhattisgarh, India, aimed at countering Naxalite violence in the region.
• The militia, consisting of local tribal youth, received support and training from the Chhattisgarh state government.
• Later some time, the Trained youth oppressed the tribal, train the children below 18, collect money, sexual Harassment & do crime.
• It has been outlawed and banned by a Supreme Court court order on 2008, but continues to exist in the form of Armed Auxiliary Forces, District Reserve Group and other vigilante groups.