INDIA'S HIDDEN WAR

The Naxalite-Maoist insurgency, ignited by deep-rooted socio-economic inequalities, remains one of India's most complex and enduring internal security battles.

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In the dense forests of Chhattisgarh, a gunshot echoed through the

night — a chilling reminder that India's longest-running internal conflict was far from over. The NaxaliteMaoist insurgency, spanning over five decades, has claimed thousands of lives, displaced countless families, and left deep scars on the nation’s social and political fabric. How did a small uprising in a remote village spiral into one of India's most complex security challenges — and what might finally bring peace?

How a village sparked a revolution

The genesis of the Naxalite movement traces back to 1967 in the village of Naxalbari, West Bengal. A faction of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), led by Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal, initiated an armed uprising calling for radical land redistribution and the overthrow of oppressive feudal structures.

This uprising, known as the Naxalbari movement, was inspired by Maoist ideology, which advocated for agrarian revolution through armed struggle. The movement quickly gained traction among marginalized communities, particularly landless peasants and tribal populations who had suffered generations of exploitation and neglect.

"They came to our homes, demanding food and money," recalls an elderly villager from Naxalbari. "But this time, the farmers were ready. They fought back."

The movement symbolized a direct challenge to the entrenched socio-economic hierarchies of rural India. It wasn’t just about land — it was about reclaiming dignity.

RISE, FALL, AND REBIRTH (1970S-1990S)

The early 1970s saw brutal suppression of the Naxalite movement by state authorities. In 1972, Charu Majumdar was captured and died in police custody, dealing a severe blow to the movement's leadership. However, the ideological fire was far from extinguished.