Naxalite Violence - Articles

Naxalism is the most important internal security threat to the nation and Bihar is one of the most disturbed among these states. 19 out of its 38 districts of Bihar are Naxal infested. Recent years have not only witnessed a consolidation of extremists in their strongholds, but an expansion into newer areas. Apart from traditional strongholds in Patna, Gaya, Aurangabad, Arwal, Bhabhua, Rohtas and Jehanabad in South western parts of the State, there has been a spurt in extremism in parts of North Bihar, bordering Nepal, including in West Champaran, East Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga and Madhubani districts. The Naxalites have also extended their influence in Shaharsha, Begusarai and Vaisali, and areas along the border with Uttar Pradesh.

At the same time there is a different picture in some parts of Bihar, where Naxal dominance has declined. Sandesh block is one such example, which has seen the gradual elimination of Naxalites. It is well known fact that Naxalism in Bihar started from two blocks of Bihar and . Sandesh was one of them. Another adjoining block was Shahar. The most important factor, which proved to be instrumental in dismantling the Naxal dominance was Panchayat elections which were initiated in Bihar after 23 years in 2000. Six out of eleven panchayats had Maoist mukhiyas under 2000 panchayat election in the Sandesh block. The second panchayat election was held in 2006 in Bihar in which all six Maoists mukhiyas were defeated. It was the first important signal of unpopularity of Maoists in the villages. It also created a significant distance between the Maoist leaders and the community.

During their tenure as Mukhiya, the Maoists remained cut off from the people. All malpractices were being followed by them. They minted money and used the power for their own vested interest. That unfolded the real picture of Maoists leaders. Their calibrated plan of hate against the upper castes were exposed owing to their corrupt practices. Exposition of Naxal tactics brought a social cohesiveness among the different castes. They came together to elect a leader who can work for the development for the villages.

Nevertheless, the Mandal revolution in Bihar has resurrected the image of backward castes, especially the Yadav's in Bihar. Yadav are demographically the most dominant in Bihar. The 15 years of Lalu Raj has bolstered the economic and political status of Yadavs. They became economically rich and politically powerful. With this change, the Yadavs gradually withdrew themselves from Maoist outfits. That was a major blow to the extreme leftist. The sense of peace and development became a predominant factor for the scheduled and backward castes.

The New Government of Bihar after 15 years of Lalu Raj, has done some meaningful work which addressed the fundamental issues of the poor people. It reposed faith in governance. The law and order of the state improved to a great extent. State Auxiliary Police, a brainchild of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, came into existence with around 2,000 fully trained ex-army men step-up police operations against organized crime and naxalites. Now the strength of SAP has gone up to more than 5, 000.

The process of social cohesion against the Maoists started in many panchayats of Sandesh block. The specter of Naxal violence has taught a lesson to the upper castes. They started respecting the lower castes and accommodating them in any decision making process for the development of the villages. This new outlook of the social order pressurized the sympathizers or supporters of Naxalites to mend their ways or leave the villages. Social pressure forced many Naxalites to switch over to farming and severe their association with Naxal outfits. The process of social change has reduced the number of Naxalites from many villages under the Sandesh block dramatically. The hard core Naxal leaders left the villages. Gradually the Sandesh block has been cleansed of Naxal violence.

There are many other initiatives which have been started by the state government to curb Naxal violence. Consider the recent initiative of the state government under Aasdwar project which has considerably eroded the Naxal base in the Jehanabad district. The scheme is currently underway in five Naxalite affected panchayats of the district. These are Sikariya, Sewanan, Mandebigha, Surungpur - Bhawanichak and Jamuk, all in Jehanabad Sadar block. All villages under these five panchayats are witnessing a flurry of developmental activities on a war footing.

The people at large seem to have embraced the state's Aasdwar programme in a big way.

So this case study of Sandesh amplifies the truth that Naxalism can be defeated and eliminated by the process of development and a new social order.