Naxalism or Maoism, a serious threat to India’s soverignity,integrity and most important its internal and national security.We all hear about various naxal activities through daily news but we don really know how exactly did this organization come into picture?How do they operate?What are their major activities?This article is an effort to confront the masses and specially youth with the realities of this organization.
THE ORIGIN –
The naxalite movement is strongly inspired by the socialist ideologies of the Soviet Union (which disintegrated in 1991),which was driven by eminent thinkers like Karl Marx,Lenin and Mao Zedong.The word Naxalite actually derives its name from a small village ‘Naxalbari’ on the tri junction of India,Nepal & Bangladesh (what was east Pakistan in 1967 when the movement started),where tribals took up arms against the oppression of landlords.The movement spread like wildfire to different parts of the country.Some of the brightest minds of the youth left their homes to join this movement in the hope of a new world.The situation that led to this movement in 1967 was that inspite of the passage of two decades since the dawn of independence a vast section of the population comprising of peasants,workers and tribals continues to face worst forms of exploitations on all fronts.A peaceful political protest,as they felt,was not the way to fight this oppression.Hence they resorted to an armed conflict against this oppression.
This movement further grew leaps and bounds due to the merger of CPI(Marxist & Leninist) with People’s War Group(A group of rebels) which led to the formation of a new party called Communist Party Of India(Maoist)[CPI(Maoist) further mentioned in the article as CPI(M)].This party was declared a terrorist outfit by the Government Of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967.
JOURNEY TILL NOW-
The naxalite movement,drawing inspiration from the Maoist ideology,had a meteoric phase for about two years from the formation of the party till June 1971.The party was involved in a number of instances of armed conflicts with the security personnel during this time.The violence was at its peak from about mid 1970 to mid 1971.It is estimated that there were about 400 instances in the country during this time.The bulk of the rebels involved in these activities were from West Bengal(3500) followed by Bihar(220) & Andhra Pradesh(70).After 1971 the government cracked down on the organisation leadin to a temporary suspension of the activities.The organization was later revived in 1980 under the leadership of Kondapalli Seetharamaiah gave a new lease of life to the movement.
THE CPI(M):ORGANISATION STRUCTURE –
CPI(M) follows communist organizational structure.The party is governed by the party constitution consisting of a total of 61 Articles under a 12 chapters,defining the working of the party,rights of members,internal debates,party funds,party flag,party objectives,membership,organizing principles,party discipline etc.The party’s organizational structure is best represented in the below diagram:-
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| The Maoist Party Structure |
THE NAXALITE VIOLENCE RECORD -
As mentioned earlier the naxalite violence was at its peak in 1971 after which the government agencies cracked down on the group which was later revived in 1980.This group is involved in many of the most deadliest attacks on security forces and civilians killing 721 people in 2008,908 people in 2009,1003 people in 2010.Below is a list of major incidents involving naxal groups:-
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| List of Major Maoist Activities |
Given below is a graphical representation of incidents and casualties in the maoist violence till recent past:-
The above statistics and events clearly show the level of brutality of naxals and an absolute disregard towards the constitution and republic of India.
REACH OF THE CPI(M) :-
The CPI(M) is the most dominant and extremely powerful group.It commands the loyalty of 86% of the naxal cadre,is responsible for the 90% of the naxal activities and 94% of the naxal killings.This group is replete with most advanced weapons,rocket launchers etc.They are also equipped with IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices).
CPI(M) is active in among 223 districts of various states in India.Out of 14000 police posts,naxalites are active in the governing radius of 2000 police posts.The movement of naxalism is spread across a vast area of 40000 sq kms.Currently 11 states are witnessing naxal violence and efforts are undertaken on the part of the naxals to mobilize another 8 states which can transform into violence soon.
MAJOR ACTIVITIES :-
The first and foremost of the major activities of the naxalites is Kidnapping.Naxalites collect nearly Rs.20 arab through ways of kidnapping.They kidnap people of social and political importance and then demand money or release of their caders in return of the release of the kidnapped person.A computer hard disk drive recovered from an arrested Maoist leader revealed shocking details of maoist kidnapping industry.The disk stated the money collected in various states through kidnappings as follows-
Total Ransom Collected :- 2009 :- Rs.10 arab 2010 :- Rs,11 arab
Statewise:-
1.Maharashtra :- Rs.1 Arab
2.Bihar :- Rs.2 arab
3.Jharkhand :- Rs. 75 crores (figs. As of 2009)
Secomd major activity of the naxals is extortion.They extort money from government contractors,wood contractors,businessmen,companies,shopowners,chemists,doctors etc.
Third major activity of the naxals is production of heroine.Huge masses of land in the mountainous and densely forested terrains is utilized for the plantation of heroine.These plantations are generally hid by plantation of corn crop.Ghagra,in Ghumala district of Jharkhand,Gumala,Kishenganj are some of the areas where large quantities of heroine are produced.There are around 3000 to 4000 patches of land planted with heroine in the forested and mountainous region.
EXPENDITURE METHOD :-
In 2007 the Naxals spent around Rs.1 arab 75 crores for the procurement of weapons.These weapons included weapons like included AK 47s,Landmines,Rocket Launchers etc.Some reports suggest that these arms are made available to the naxals through an Australian arms dealer and are shipped to India through the Malasia –Wbengal route.Apart from weapons Naxals spend money on uniforms,vehicles,medicines etc.These uniforms are procured from a textile company in Mumbai.They are alse said to possess bikes with special tyres to travel the rough forested and mountainous terrain.
Maoists are very particular about advertising their outfit.They campaign almost regularly to recruit new cadres and to take their organization to maximum people they can.They maintain their own website,they publish a periodical with the name of Awam-E-Jang &CPI(maoist).They are said to operate a low frequency radio within the forested area.They spend money on procuring instruments of communication like satellite radio.
The government recently announced a incentive plans for the surrendering naxals according to the weapon with which they surrender:-
Out of the total received money through extortion and kidnapping and other terrorist activities,80% goes to the top leadership and 20% is distributed to the junior naxals.
SUPPORT WITHIN :-
The Maoists enjoy support of though not large but a significant number of people in the society both in urban and rural areas.These people openly propagate the maoist ideology both privately and publicly.These people compare the activities of Maoists to the activities of freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh etc.They hold meetings,conduct seminars and undertake other activities.
Moreover the training of the maoist caders that takes place in Bodhgaya in Bihar is openly funded my many NGOs.Many NGOs are connected to the naxals and their cause and the heavily fund the training programme of the maoist.The Bihar government has gone to the extent of makin a list of such NGOs that fund Maoist activities.
CONCLUSION :-
Naxalism,a general problem as we all think due to the news reports we hear but seeing the nature of the organization and the well distributed structure and also a very diverse constitution a simple question arises in everyone s mind…..is this really a problem to be brushed aside under the name of a movement by the poor??Is this really a movement comin out of atrocities??Is their work and the violence really justified under right to protest??And most importantly who decides whose right is whose limit??
Answers need to be found at the earliest before we pay a more heavy price than the one we are already paying cause at the end of the day the only one being dragged into this for no reason is the “Common Man”.
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