The increase in frequency of Naxal-related violence off late has really emerged as a cause of serious concern, not only for the integrity and security of this country, but also its general well-being. While neighbouring Nepal is witnessing reconciliation with the Naxals, as reflected in latter's participation in the new government, India continues to be a victim of their gory ways. The mainstreaming of the Naxal movement in Nepal hopefully marks the end of the movement in that country. India, however, is still groping in the dark to size up the real problem and come out with a suitable response.

Naxal violence has indeed spread its tentacles from 156 districts in 13 states in September 2004 to 170 districts in 15 states in February 2005, affecting about 40 per cent of the geographical area of the country and 35 per cent of its population, according to recent intelligence reports. With the objective of establishing a 'Compact Revolutionary Zone', as typified by the Red Corridor extending from the boondocks of North Bihar to the underdeveloped hinterland of Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka, the Naxals aim to use the same, reportedly, for eventual seizure of state power and subsequent establishment of a Maoist State.

Recently, the Naxals have intimidated the Salwa Judum in Chhattisgarh, attacked the Jehanabad jail (freeing about 340 prisoners and their leader Ajay Kanu) in Bihar, heinously killed Sunil Mahato (the JMM Member of Parliament) and attacked a police camp in Bastar killing about 56 policemen. They have demonstrated precision, penetration, organization and audacity in striking their chosen targets at will. Before that also, they have attacked many other symbols of state authority, mostly the police, as witnessed in their incursions in Koraput in Orissa, Madhubani in Bihar, Giridih and Bokaro in Jharkhand and in Karnataka, killing hundreds of policemen, looting fire arms and money.

Transforming themselves into a modern guerilla force, the Naxals today are equipped with sophisticated weapons and communication system. With the formation of a united outfit namely CPI (Maoist) along with the raising of an armed wing i.e. People's Liberation Guerrilla Army through the merger of Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) and People's War Group (PWG), the Naxal Movement has not only succeeded in getting over the problem of sanguinary infighting amongst them, but the Movement has also witnessed a shift in focus and strategy. Today, they are not only logistically better organized and better trained, they are also better motivated and better led.

With the programme of a New Democratic Revolution, the Naxals wish to attain their goals through the spread of disaffection amongst the rural poor by creating an impression that the new economic policy is prejudicial to their interests. The newly acquired prosperity of the landlords, the bourgeois traders and the bureaucrats further annoys and frustrates them. They believe that the benefits of the Panchayati Raj have been cornered by a handful of well-to-do peasants. Hence, they have declared all landlords, big or small, and all bourgeois, powerful or petty, as class enemies and have been working towards their elimination by violent means.

The new strategy of the Naxals is one of protracted armed struggle whose objective is not seizure of land, crops or other immediate goals, but the seizure of state power. Within this perspective, participation in elections and engagements with the prevailing bourgeois democracy are rejected, and all efforts and attention are firmly focused on revolutionary activities to undermine the state and seize power by any means. They plan to mount further attacks against the symbols of 'feudalism, imperialism and comprador bureaucratic capitalism' and they also don't mind supporting the struggle of nationalities for self-determination, including the right to secession. They have also been paying special attention to mobilizing and organizing women as a mighty force of the bloody revolution they are waging.

The Naxals would do better to appreciate the fact that no other form of government has proved to be better than democracy, which has responded and evolved as per the genius of its locale. Already, the government has been responding to their basic allegations of inequitable and inegalitarian development and has come forward with a slew of development proposals to address the problem of inequity. The Naxals support to secessionist and separatist movements is also greatly misplaced and points to their garbled conception of politics. By doing so, they are only helping the cause of those who love to see this country grovel in the dust.

By indulging in brazen and unprincipled acts of violence, they are not only hurting the developmental cause of their own nation, but are also playing in to the hands of our enemies. It would be advisable for the government to continue its efforts to bring them aboard, while continuing its developmental efforts simultaneously without compromising with the security and integrity of the country. The Nepalese Naxalites have shown the way by laying down arms and joining the mainstream political process. Our home-grown Naxals ought to take a cue from them.

Note: The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not reflect those of the Government.