LINKAGES BETWEEN DEVELOPMENT AND SPREAD OF EXTREMISM-

Extremism- It means an ideology deflected from the mainstream of common moral standards which can be perceived as good or bad depending upon the political and philosophical values. From psychological point of view it is an emotional outlet for severe feelings arising out of persistent oppressions, insecurity, humiliations, resentment, loss and rage which led individuals/group to adopt conflict engagement strategies. India is currently crippling with left-wing-extremism. This is almost four decades old now. Beginning in a single State West Bengal, it has now spread over a wide area, affecting and influencing the lives of lakhs of people.
Developmental issues which pertain to the spread of extremism are linked to lack of access to basic resources to sustain livelihood. However development is a useful tool against extremism but it must operate in tandem with the security forces. Some of the developmental issues which lead to the spread of extremism are listed below-

* Forest Policy- In the name of development, habitat of principal adivasi communities were declared reserve forests & in accordance with Forest conservation act 1980 no forest land can be diverted to non forest use without permission rights of primitive forest dwellers were restricted resulting in losing access to land mass resentment leading to extremist activities.


* Land Alienation- 40% of rural households have no land or less than half of acre of land increased small/marginal land holdingsexaggeration of landlessnessno land reformsinsecurity & exploitation of tenantsunrest leading to extremism

* Special Economic Zones- Land acquisition for SEZloss of revenue in the form of taxes loss of production as huge block of productive lands acquired for SEZmajor impact in livelihood resource, leading to conflict.


* Common property resources- CPRs contributes effectively to the rural economy and provides sustenance to local communities. CPR includes such as community pasture, watershed drainages, village tanks etc. Hence CPR is vital for rural areas to develop. But due to industrialization, privatization and development projects the CPRs area is shrinking and govt. never look in to this matter.


* Delayed process of adjudication & Social Injustice- Considerable frustration gets built up in the society when conflicts and disputes are not settled in time because of formal & slow judicial system which ends up with illegal extremist mind framework.


* Displacement & rehabilitation- Displacement/ forced eviction of people occur due to developmental projects such as irrigation, industrial projects, mining projects, power plants etc. It can be physical, emotional or cultural. Tribal people are most prone to displacement because tribal areas are rich in mineral resources such as Orissa, Jharkhand. This impacts multidimensional trauma on them leading to serious consequences.


* Labour, Unemployment and wages- High poverty, low education, Unemployment & insecurity of livelihoodanger, dissatisfaction amongst youth of extremist affected area. Minimum wages for agriculture work are not implemented, increased share of unorganized workers in unorganized sector, no effective coverage of labour welfare laws. Hence this multifaceted form of exploitation in the absence of any developmental propaganda forms the major cause of spread of extremism.


* Environmental degradation- Land targeted for mineral extraction agriculture land gets barren pollutes water & air sources degrade the quality of life.
Moreover Tourism industry in this development scenario is posing a great threat to the existing cultural-economy-governance matrix of tribal life which is interwoven with ecology. The introduction of foreign influence and commercialization is triggering the process of disintegration of tribal society leading to extremist activities


Developmental solutions to problem of extremism-



1. Effective implementation of legislation- PESA, MNREGA, Scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers acts must be implemented effectively.

2. Land related issues- Land tribunals or fast track courts must be set up for speedy disposal of land ceiling cases. The loopholes in the respective state ceiling laws must be corrected.

3. Livelihood Security- Govt. should strengthen the subsidiary and supportive activities in horticulture, poultry, fisheries, animal husbandry under the strict guidelines of ministry of agriculture through establishment of quality infrastructure & efficient market linkages at the village level.

4. Universalize basic social services to standards amongst the people of extremist affected areas so that the discriminatory manifestations of governance can be removed.

5. Institutional arrangements for centre-state cooperation: Since problems in formulating a counter-Extremist policy as well as in dealing with the issue on a day-to-day basis are sourced to the lack of centre-state cooperation, a permanent institutional mechanism in the form of acoordination centre can be established to thrash out emerging differences. A coordination centre does currentlyexist within the MHA, but requires the active participationof state representatives to ensure smoother coordination.





Name- Dr. Devender Mittal
Reference web site- http://planningcommission.nic.in/reports/publications/rep_dce.pdf


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