1. Introduction: Regardless of region and culture, Extremisms exist when conditions are right for individual to perceive it as rational. Radical Group seeks justification for their methods of violence from structural violence which is implicit in the social and economic system.
2. Meaning of Extremism:
Left Wing Extremism or Naxalism (as it called in India, because of its origin from a village called Naxalbari in West Bengal) is an ideology based on far left radical thoughts. It drives its thoughts from communism and emphasise advancement of peoples social and economic life by establishing classless society through armed revolution.
3. Historicity of Extremisms:
Unrest and discontent among tribals and marginalised is not new. Tribals were peasant and for them forest and other natural resources had religious and spiritual significance. They never looked at forest and other natural resources (like minerals and coals etc.) from profit making perspective. Even Mughals didnt interfere with tribal autonomy if tribal chief does not pose challenge to their authority. British later classified forest according to quantum of natural resources and went for large scale deforestation. Tribal uprisings opposing this were brutally crushed. Railways and roadways further accentuated this trend, raw materials like coal and minerals are collected by Britishers for industries in England and finished goods made inroads even to remote tribal lands. Subsidence farming was replaced by commercial farming and forests were cleared by forest contractors under British protection. Extremism was rooted in anti- imperialist struggle and supported armed revolution in order to achieve political transformation.
4. Extremism after independence and present status:
After Independence, India state recognized the importance of eradicating poverty and launched land reforms resulting in
a) Abolition of intermediaries like zamindars.
b) Security of tenancy.
c) Ceiling on agriculture holdings for distribution of surplus to landless.
Unfortunately land reforms remain an unfinished agenda. Tribals and marginalised always depended upon common resources like ponds, pastures etc. For livelihood but increasing tendency to see resources as profit sources have deprived poor with these resources.
Nehru and Mahalanobis from 2nd five year plan (1956-61) onwards followed western model of development which calls for shift in the pattern of industrial investment towards building up a domestic consumption goods sector. Rapid industrialisation, construction of big dams and other large scale activities claimed huge swathes of forests. Tribals were displaced and inadequate to offer alternate and consolidated livelihood to displaced population, it also doesnt look to social trauma of adivasis. It has been a major rallying point for adivasis and the moist tat recruit them. Adivasis have their religion, culture and history tied to land. This history, grounded in the land and forests, and has been in direct conflict with external forces since the pre-colonial era and has continued in its post-independence in neo-colonial form. Mizo Revolt (1966-1971), Warli Revolt (1956-58) and Naxalbari Revolt (1967-71) are few of many revolts by tribals against land and forest grab in the name of development.
Special economic zone conceptualised to attract FDI and promote large scale manufacturing etc. Cause large scale protest by tribals. It is seen as an attempt to grab land, forests and common resources in the name of development. Recent protest in Singrur and Nandigram are also based on similar notions. Extremists have stated one of their objectives as fighting against Indias efforts to setup SEZ in tribal areas reflecting the adverse affect of development.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described left wing extremism as the biggest internal security problems. Today extremists are active in as many as 230 districts in 18 states of the country, amounting to more than one third of Indias geographical area.
In 2011 government reported 1755 incidents of moist violence resulting in 606 fatalities of civilians and security forces. This calls for are-think of development strategies and other efforts to bring the marginalised into mainstream.
5. Efforts by Government to address Extremism:
MHA follow two pronged approach which combines security forces action with accelerated development of extremist affected area. clear, hold and develop strategy is followed, as per GOI data , as on may 2013, 532 companies of central armed forces have been deployed in affected states to carry out joint operation with state police. 1000 Cr. development fund is embarked for 82 naxal affected districts continues even in 2013.
a) INTEGTATED ACTION PLAN (IAP): Planning commission implemented IAP for 82 LWE affected tribal and backward districts to provide public infrastructure and services. Major works under IAP include constuction of school, buildings, aganwadi centre, drinking water facilities, rural road, construction of panchyat bhawan, community halls, playground etc.
b) SPECIAL INFRASTRUCTURE SCHEME: In 11th five year plan Rs. 500 Cr. were earmarked for infrastructure development which are critical for progress and are not covered by other schemes.
c) ROAD REQUIREMENT PLAN (RRP) FOR LWE AREAS: This scheme aims at providing road connectivity to tribals in LWE affected areas.
d) PRIME MINISTER RURAL DEVELOPMENT FELLOWSHIP (PMRDF): It is launched by M.O.R.D for providing capacity building opportunity to well qualified young professional to carryout grassroot development in LWE affected districts. They would work along with district administration on any matter related to IAP, thus providing the tribal with points of contact and humane touch in understanding their problems.
e) PANCHAYAT (EXTENSION TO SCHEDULED AREAS) (PESA) ACT 1996: It is an important legislation empowering tribals in the field of local self goverment through gram sabha.
f) SURRENDER CUM REHABILITATION SCHEME: It is launched in on 1st April, 2013 for extremists, allowing them to wean away from extremist movements and ensure that didnt join the movement again. The scheme takes care of rehabilitation of extremists to mainstream life, and helps them to live a better life.
g) Apart from above mentioned schemes, schemes like Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana(PMGSY), Integrated Watershed Management Program, Backward Region Grant Fund(BRGF) etc. have relaxed norms when implemented in LWE affected districts.
h) Regular development schemes like Rajeev Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojna(RGGVY), National Rural Drinking Water Supply Programme, Sarva Siksha Abhiyaan and Indra Awas Yojna continue to work towards upliftment of tribals in LWE affected areas. Recently passed food security bill aims at eradicating hunger would go long way in helping tribals come out of hunger and malnutrition.
6. What more can be done:
a) Strengthing local self government:
Strengthening local self govt. in extremist affected area is a necessary step for regaining the lost faith of tribals in state machinery. Strengthening of local self govt with additional financial and decision making power would promote development by making them stakeholders in development. Holding regular elections is a must for people to response faith in 3rd tier of governance.
b) Bringing adivasis and other marginalized to political mainstream:
Right to vote is an important political right. Assertion of this right and demanding accountability from elected representative has been difficult for the marginalized groups. Awareness abd empowerment is needed.
c) Education and social empowerment:
A majority of adivasis are uneducated, education can help them to demand their rights and fight for them. Apart from this, discrimination related to residence, food, clothing, marriage and employment must be removed.
d) Providing with more employment opportunities:
Roping in more NGOs and other groups that work with these tribals to help them get more skills and opening new vistas of employment based on their skills can help nip alienating feeling among them.
e) Land to the tiller:
Land still remain the primary source of sustenance for large no. of tribals . land reforms letter and spirit granting right of land to the tiller can root out long standing dissatisfaction among the tribals . Along with this, access to common resources like forest produce, ponds, stream etc, even in reserve forest can help tribal livelihood.
f) Communication between officials and tribals:
For years extremist have exploited the lack of communication between govt. and tribals. Effective policy of continuous communication would allay fears and help bring tribals and marginalized into mainstream of development.
g) Justice to human rights victims:
In the strife torn areas, human rights violation by security forces must be dealt sternly. Urgent action for providing justice is needed.
7. Conclusion
Inequalities between classes have increased over the years which act as source unrest. Constitution is article 39 mandates states to prevent concentration of wealth in few hands but policy makers often ignore this resulting into two words : BHARAT and INDIA. Only when adivasis and marginalized groups are taken care of both these worlds wont merge. Structural violence causes much of violence. While not condoning radical violence, an honest response to extremism therefore must begin by ameliorating the structural violence in the society.
Name: Praveen Katiyar
List of Articles:
1) Devlopment Challenges in Extremist Affected Areas 2008, GOI Report
2) Force, Development or Both? Force, Development or Both? : by Bibhu Prasad Routray
3) http://exval.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/the-naxalite-uprising-an-overview/?blogsub=confirming#blog_subscription-2
4) http://www.opendemocracy.net/openindia/swapna-banerjee-guha/contradictions-of-%E2%80%98development%E2%80%99-in-contemporary-india
5) http://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/left-wing-extremism-rethinking-india%E2%80%99s-coin-strategy
6) Press Information Bureau
7) Government Websites: For various schemes
