INDIA IS HEADING TOWARDS CIVIL WAR IN ITS FIGHT WITH A MAOIST INSURGENCY

India has been fighting against left wing insurgents for years. They are particularly prevalent in the east in west Bengal and Bihar and caused disruption during the elections. Prime Minister Singh has admitted that they are getting more violent and that India is losing ground. In some areas they have virtually chased out the government. Will they be beaten or will the situation turn into an all out conflict

India is heading towards civil war in its fight with a maoist insurgency

Yes, because... Situation is the worst it's ever been

 

The Maoist insurgency in India has got to it's worst level since it began twenty years ago. Currently the Maoists operate in 182 districts of India mostly it's central part and have virtually replaced the local government in some areas[1]. This situation has caused the Prime Minister of India Mamohan Singh to admit that "we have not achieved as much success as we would have liked in containing this menace" in short they are losing the battle against the Communist opponents

  1. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8256692.stm

 
 

India is heading towards civil war in its fight with a maoist insurgency

Yes, because... Maoists have increasing support and appeal

 

India could be argued to be heading towards a marxist style revolution as the Maoists appeal to certain sections of Indian society that feel disenfranchised creating a divide between those that are well off and those that are not. The Maoists enjoy support mainly in poor rural areas with high levels of unemployment and underdevelopment, in contrast to high levels of growth in more urban and well off surrounding areas. In some cases growth is at around 8% in contrast to the rural areas.[1] Furthermore in those areas there are high amounts of young people who are angry and provide a source of manpower for the Maoists. Also the economic disparity and corruption seems to be attracting members of the intelligensia. This is something that Mahmohan Singh also admitted to.[2]

  1. ^ Sengupta, Somini "In India Maoist Guerilla's Widen People's War" New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/13/world/asia/13maoists.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
  2. ^ BBC News South Asia "India is Losing Maoist battle"http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8256692.stm

 
 

India is heading towards civil war in its fight with a maoist insurgency

Yes, because... Death toll and casualty rates are rising

 

There have already been over 6000 deaths as a result of the violence and there have been a number of clashes of late that would suggest the fighting and the impact it is having is increasing in intensity particuarly given around a thousand of the estimated deaths have happened in the past year in a conflict that has been going on for twenty years[1]. Examples of recent clashes include an attack on by Maoists on a Communist Party of India regional HQ which resulted in the deaths or injuries of an estimated 25 people.[2]

  1. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/13/world/asia/13maoists.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
  2. ^ BBC News "Casualties feared in India clash" Accessed 24.09.09 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8268080.stm

 
 

India is heading towards civil war in its fight with a maoist insurgency

 

No, because... Does not meet the definition of a Civil War and is not described as one

 

A civil war is one between two sets of beligerent forces. India's conflict may be with an insurgency which is in the south and central areas of the country however it is seen by the Indians themselves as more of a case of severe domestic terrorism that requires effective police action (although para-miltary's have been involved) and not military intervention.[1]

  1. ^ http://prafulkr.wordpress.com/bihar/police-vs-naxals/

 

India is heading towards civil war in its fight with a maoist insurgency

 

No, because... Maoists have taken hits when it comes to their presence

 

The Naxalites while they have not been nipped in the bud have taken hits with the arrest of one of their main leaders Kobad Ghandy who was their communications head being arrested by the Delhi police[1]. This is something that is seen as a key victory as Ghandy was responsible for trying to increase the influence of the Naxalites in urban areas outside the "red corridor" that the Maoists are strongest in.

  1. ^ http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/top_maoist_leader_held_in_delhi_sent_to_judicial_custody.php

 

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