Naxalism: Causes, Current Status, and Development Response

Introduction

Naxalism - also called Left Wing Extremism (LWE) or Maoist insurgency - is India's longest-running internal security challenge. Originating from a peasant uprising in Naxalbari, West Bengal (1967), it has evolved through multiple phases and remains active in a shrinking but persistent set of districts. The movement claims to fight for land rights, tribal autonomy, and against exploitation, using armed guerrilla warfare.

Historical Evolution

Phase I - The Naxalbari Uprising (1967-1972)

• March 1967: Peasant uprising in Naxalbari village, Darjeeling district, West Bengal. Led by local CPI(M) leaders Kanu Sanyal and Jangal Santhal.
• Issue: Eviction of tribal sharecroppers (adhiars) from agricultural land. Armed attack on landlords and police.
• Political context: Split in CPI(M). Charu Mazumdar founded Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) - CPI(ML) in 1968.
• Slogan: "Spring Thunder over Naxalbari" (Peking Review, July 1967).
• Suppression: Violent state response; by 1972, the leadership was killed, arrested, or went underground.

Phase II - Splintering and Spread (1972-2000)

• Ideological fragmentation - CPI(ML) split into dozens of factions: CPI(ML) Liberation, Party Unity, MCC (Maoist Communist Centre), CPI(ML) People's War.
• Base shift - From Bengal to...