The Maoist Problem in India - Solutions and the Way Out

The most important component of any solution tocomfortable while interacting with the government
the Maoist problem has to be an effective policeand its representatives. They become more open to
force in the affected areas. Without the effectivethe idea of seeking help through due process rather
implementation of the law, any attempt tothan using the violent ways propagated by the
rehabilitate the affected populations will fail. That isMaoists.
because the inefficiency of the laws is what theOne essential dimension to any solution will have to
Maoists use as a tool to sell their way of life. Thebe an openness on the part of the government to
frustration of the rural populations with the localabandon its inflexible stance and give some thought
policemen and the judiciary is what fuels this fireto creating special regulations to speed up the pace
called maoism.of development in these areas through private
Another important concept in the fight against theplayers. Things like tax discounts for companies
insurgency is infrastructure development. Most of thesetting up offices in these areas is one such method.
outlying areas do not have good roads or other basicAnother method could be to give special relaxed
infrastructure. This leads to an accessibility problem ofnorms for small industries in these areas. The strict
immense proportions. Aid cannot reach these areas inlicensing structure that is prevalent in most of India
case of an emergency or calamity. A lot of timeshas to be relaxed in these areas to bring more of
because of the bad roads the maoists are able tothe entrepreneurial initiative to the front.
stop security forces in their tracks. Also the lack ofThe maoist problem has reached alarming proportions
basic infrastructure is the cause of frustration amongin most of central and east India. They are spreading
the rural populations, and lend credence to thetheir roots now to the south and to the west. If
Maoists point of view - that the Indian governmentthey are handled with the same foot dragging that
has forsaken the rural populations.the government is generally known for, then very
Education is the third most effective tool to use. Thesoon we will have a full fledged war on our hands. On
fight against the Maoists cannot be won in a day. Northe one hand will be the maoists with their cadres of
can they be removed after a military exercise of anythe illiterate poor and on the other a lethargic
sort. The illiteracy among the rural populations willadministration with their legions of corrupt and
ensure that the maoists keep receiving fresh recruits,inefficient police personnel. Such a situation is a
who can easily be brainwashed with tall stories andpotential breeding ground for a long terms disaster
promises. Also education helps to make the weakerwhich may not be fixable in the near future!
sections of the rural population to feel more