Naxalite terrorists killed five “jawans” (policemen) in India’s Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and critically wounded two more, with a landmine blast in the Dantewada district, according to Samay (Delhi).
The ‘Red Corridor’ of regions fully or partially controlled by the Maoists (Naxalites) (Asia Times)
This is the biggest Naxalite terror attack since last April and May, when 44 and 75 jawans were killed, respectively, in two major terror attacks in the same district. (See “19-May-10 News — Maoist terrorism puts India on high alert.”)
That Naxalite (Maoist) terrorists, who occupy rural areas in the “Red Corridor,” stretching along the entire southeast of the country, have become, in the words of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, India’s “greatest internal security challenge.”
The Naxalite group was formed in 1967 in a split from the Communist Party of India (CPI). The CPI was aligned with Russian Communists, and they were increasingly moving away from violence and getting involved in India’s political system. At that time, Russia and China were close to war with each other, and that split was reflected in the CPI itself. The breakaway group was aligned with China, and became known as Maoists. The initial peasant uprising that led to the Maoists occurred on May 27, 1967, in the town of Naxalbari, giving them the name “Naxalites.”
It was just a few years ago that the Naxalites were confined to rural areas, but now that’s changing, according to a former director-general of police quoted by the Times of India:
“Certainly, it’s a matter of serious concern. Prima facie, the Naxalites seem to have succeeded in ensuring the support of tribals and intellectuals in urban areas. As a result of that, their movement is getting support in big cities. It appears that their social networking is very strong, and as a result, they have been able to attract urban intellectuals.”
He adds that the Naxalite movement has grown because the government and industrialists are exploiting the poor tribal citizens. “It’s a fact that they have been robbed of their livelihood. Their traditions and culture have been neglected. Therefore, they look to the Naxals for justice.”
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