Syllabus
GS Paper III – Role of External State and Non-state Actors in creating challenges to Internal Security.
Context
The Maharashtra government has proposed a bill in the Assembly that intends to curb the threat of Naxalism and its supporters in urban areas (Urban naxal).
Urban naxal and Naxalism in India
Introduction
Naxalism, also known as Left Wing Extremism (LWE), emerged from the Naxalbari village in West Bengal during a peasant revolt in 1967. The Naxalites, far-left communists influenced by Mao Zedong’s ideology, spread to less developed rural areas in Southern and Eastern India. States like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana have witnessed their presence. Despite government efforts, Naxalism remains a significant threat to India’s national security. It reflects the aspirations of marginalized people who seek dignity and self-respect but perpetuates violence, posing challenges to internal security and economic stability.
Key highlights of the bill
- Insufficiency of Existing Laws:
- The Maharashtra government deems the UAPA (1967) and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (MCOCA) inadequate for addressing extreme situations attributed to individuals labeled as urban Naxals.
- Empowering the Government:
- The Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024 (Anti-Naxal Bill) grants authority to the government to designate any suspect “organization” as an “unlawful organization.”
- Arrests Without Warrant:
- The bill enables state police and security agencies to arrest accused individuals without a warrant, without informing them of their alleged offense.
- Criticism and Concerns:
- Undefined Scope: The bill’s vague definition of “urban Naxal” could encompass anyone critical of the ruling party or state government.
- Non-Bailable Arrests: Non-bailable arrests imply that an accused person may languish in jail for years without trial.
- Police State and Suppression: Critics argue that the bill risks turning Maharashtra into a police state, stifling dissent and unfairly branding protesters as urban Naxals.
Comparison between Maharashtra Bill and UAPA
| Aspect | Maharashtra Bill | UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) |
| Designating Power | Both bills empower the state to designate associations as “unlawful organizations.” | Under the UAPA, a Tribunal led by a High Court judge confirms the state’s declaration. |
| Confirmation Process | The Maharashtra bill establishes an advisory board comprising three qualified high court judges to confirm designations. | UAPA relies on a Tribunal headed by a High Court judge for confirmation. |
| Permission for Prosecution | UAPA requires sanction from competent authorities (central or state government) for prosecution. | The proposed Maharashtra law allows district magistrates or police commissioners to grant permission, expediting the process. |
| Ensuring No Acquittals Due to Delays | The new bill aims to prevent accused individuals from being acquitted due to delays in obtaining sanctions. | UAPA does not specifically address this concern. |
Key terms
- Unlawful Activity:
- Under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), “unlawful activity” includes the following:
- Cession or Secession: Any attempt to separate or break away a part of India’s territory from the Union.
- Disruption of Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity: Acts that question or disrupt India’s sovereignty or territorial integrity.
- Causing Disaffection Against India: Actions that foster discontent or hostility towards India.
- Under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), “unlawful activity” includes the following:
- Urban Naxal:
- The term “Urban Naxal” is a contentious label used in India.
- It refers to individuals living in urban areas who are alleged sympathizers or supporters of Naxalite ideology.
- Meaning: Urban Naxals are often intellectuals, activists, or professionals accused of having links to or supporting Naxalite groups.
History of Naxalism in India
- Telangana Peasant Rebellion (1946-51):
- The origins of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) can be traced back to this uprising against feudal landlords in the Telangana region.
- Naxalbari Uprising (1967):
- Marked the official beginning of the Naxalite movement, with peasants, landless laborers, and adivasis raiding a landlord’s granaries in West Bengal.
- Founding Leaders: Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal led the initial movement, inspired by Mao Zedong’s tactics.
- Support and Expansion: The Communist Party of China praised the Naxalbari incident, calling it “Spring Thunder.”
- Despite initial similarities to Maoism, the Naxalite movement evolved differently.
- Decline and Revival (1972-1980):
- Charu Majumdar’s arrest and subsequent death led to predictions of the movement’s end.
- Formation of the People’s War Group (PWG): Kondapalli Seetharamaiah revived the movement in Andhra Pradesh, targeting landlords and politicians.
- Urban Naxalism: Emerged in the 1980s as Naxalism took root in educational centers, eventually transforming into an intellectual war.
- Spread and Consolidation (2000’s):
- The movement spread to Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra.
- Formation of CPI (Maoist) (2004):
- Merging of several factions, including the PWG and Maoist Communist Centre of India (MCCI), into the Communist Party of India (Maoist) significantly strengthened the insurgency.
Modus operandi of Naxalism
- Activities of Naxalite Groups: Naxalites engage in a variety of activities, including guerrilla warfare, attacks on security forces, extortion, intimidation, and propaganda.
- Strategies for Power Capture: Their goal is to capture state power through a combination of armed insurgency, mass mobilization, and strategic alliances.
- Targets and Impact: Naxalites target government institutions, infrastructure, and economic interests, as well as perceived collaborators and informants.
- Parallel Governance Structures: In areas under their control, Naxalites operate parallel governance structures, providing basic services and dispensing justice.
Status of Naxalism in India
- Positive Trends in 2022:
- The year 2022 marked a significant decline in incidents of violence and deaths in Naxal-affected areas, reaching the lowest levels in four decades.
- Violent incidents decreased by 77% compared to the peak in 2010.
- The number of affected districts dropped from 90 to 45.
- Both security forces and civilians experienced a 90% reduction in deaths related to LWE violence (98 deaths in 2022, down from 1005 in 2010).
- States Affected by LWE:
- The following states are considered LWE-affected: Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala.
- The Red Corridor encompasses central, eastern, and southern parts of India, where severe Naxalism–Maoist insurgency persists.
Causes of Naxalism
Socio-Economic Factors:
- Poverty and Lack of Development: Naxalism thrives in underdeveloped regions with high poverty rates. Adivasi (indigenous) and Dalit (lower caste) communities face social exclusion and lack access to basic necessities, fueling resentment.
- Land Rights Disputes: Adivasis displaced from traditional lands due to mining and development projects feel a sense of injustice. Naxalites exploit these disputes to champion the marginalized.
- Exploitation by Powerful Entities: Tribal communities vulnerable to exploitation by landlords, moneylenders, and mining companies. Naxalites position themselves as protectors against such exploitation.
- Caste Discrimination: Dalits find Naxalism appealing as it challenges the existing caste hierarchy.
Political Factors:
- Weak Governance and Lack of Infrastructure: Naxalism flourishes where government presence is weak. Poor infrastructure allows Naxalites to operate with less interference.
- No Follow-Up from Administration: Even after police control a region, essential services are lacking.
- Lack of Coordination between Centre and State Government: State governments often consider Naxalism a central government issue, hindering effective initiatives.
- Disillusionment with Democracy: Naxalites view the democratic system as failing to address their needs, offering an alternative, albeit violent, path to change.
Other Factors:
- Globalization: Discontent with globalization, especially displacement due to land acquisition for corporations, contributes to Naxalite support.
- Confusion over Tackling Naxalism: Is it a social issue or a security threat?
- Wide Geographic Spread: Left-wing extremist groups operate in remote, inaccessible areas, making tracking difficult for security forces.
Government Initiatives to Counter Naxalism
- Strengthening Intelligence Networks:
- Multi Agency Centres: Improved intelligence-sharing through Multi Agency Centres at central and state levels.
- Joint Command and Control Centres: Established in key areas to enhance technical and human intelligence.
- Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme: Reimburses states for security expenses, including police insurance, community policing, and rehabilitation of surrendered Maoists.
- Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs): Deployed over 70,000 CAPFs in Maoist-affected states.
- Infrastructure Scheme: Addressed gaps by upgrading roads, rail tracks, camping grounds, and helipads in remote areas. Established 400 Fortified Police Stations and improved connectivity.
- Operation Green Hunt (2009): Large-scale military operation targeting Naxalite strongholds in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Maharashtra.
- SAMADHAN Initiative (2017): Smart Leadership, Aggressive Strategy, Motivation and Training, Actionable Intelligence, Dashboard-Based KPIs, Harnessing Technology, Action Plans, No Access to Financing.
- Skill Development and Community Policing:
- Skill Development Programs: Initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) provide vocational training and employment opportunities.
- Community Policing: Involves local communities to build trust and gather intelligence on Naxalite activities.
Way forward
- Targeted Security Operations: Conduct intelligence-based operations against LWE groups, minimizing collateral damage.
- Rehabilitation and Reintegration:
- Provide support to former extremists who have renounced violence through education, training, and employment.
- Rationalize surrender policies to mainstream innocent individuals caught in the LWE trap.
- Empowering Local Peace Ambassadors: Identify and empower influential individuals within communities to promote peace and counter extremist narratives.
- Improved Communication Channels:
- Foster open channels of communication between the government, security forces, and affected communities.
- Encourage community leaders, NGOs, and religious institutions to mediate conflicts and address local issues.
- Socio-Economic Development: Invest in infrastructure, create employment opportunities, and improve access to education and healthcare in LWE-affected areas.
- Ecological and Sustainable Initiatives:
- Introduce projects focused on sustainable development and conservation of natural resources.
- Involve local communities in environmental protection efforts to reduce extremism.
Conclusion
Urban Naxalism, characterized by the infiltration of extremist ideologies into urban spaces, poses a significant challenge to India’s security. While addressing security threats is crucial, a comprehensive solution must also address underlying socio-economic issues. By fostering dialogue, promoting development, and empowering local communities, India can work toward lasting peace and stability, bridging the gap between security forces and affected populations. Vigilance, collaboration, and a multi-pronged approach remain essential in countering this complex issue.
Source: Indian Express
Related PYQ
What are the determinants of left-wing extremism in the Eastern part of India? What strategy should the Government of India, civil administration and security forces adopt to counter the threat in the affected areas? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Mains]
Practice Question
What do you understand by ‘Urban Naxalism’? Evaluate its challenges and steps taken to curb them, with reference to the recent bill on Urban Naxalism in Maharashtra. (250 words)