This topic appears time and again in our media, especially when we are discussing Naxalism. Indeed, we seem to grossly underestimate the threat that naxalism poses to our internal security. Yes, our prime minister keeps saying that this is the most serious threat to India blah..blah..blah… But, that’s it. No solid steps are ever taken.
To really understand the problem, we have to take into account the number of Indian districts affected by naxalism: The number is approximately 182 districts in 16 states! This is out of the 604 districts in India. When we say ‘affected’ we can safely assume that the government more or less has no power in these areas. That is, almost 30% of the Indian territory may not be in our control.
So what can we do about it? All that we need is a government that has the guts and the willpower to deal with this menace (which our present government, run by an Italian doesn’t have).
In an interview with the Indian Express, K.P.S. Gill, former Director General Police of Punjab said,
“ It would take just 3-4 months to deal with Naxalism if govt has the will and ends corruption in police. “
So what do the naxals have to say about their current position? They have been openly bragging that by 2010-15, 30 to 35 per cent of India will be under their control. Their enthusiasm, albeit misplaced, can be gauged by the fact that in 2002 Indian intelligence agencies warned of a compact revolutionary zone or Red Corridor from Nepal to Andhra Pradesh.
I don’t know about you, but I really am scared. This is a grave threat and we seem very under-prepared to tackle it.
Want to see what the Red Corridor is? Click to see the map here
Note: The map is not correct. You will see that a bit of the state of Jammu and Kashmir is cut off. That is the reason why I did not upload it here. I just want to illustrate what the Red Corridor is. That map is the only one I could find.
Information Source: The Tribune, August 3,2007
