It is time for us to think of a long term solution to this problem which is eating at the internals of our country and may well become a dampener on our country's growth.

The fact is that no underground activity can flourish without the help (willing or otherwise) of the local population. If we look at history, we can see that the areas of maximum Naxal or Maoist activities are the most backward areas. The reason is not too hard to find.

The administration in these areas are usually too corrupt. The local populace often run from pillar to post looking for the most basic needs. They are exploited by the rich landowners and traders. They are often neck deep in debt to these rich people and often have to become bonded labourers to pay off the debt. Their womanfolk is not left alone either and are constantly harassed. The police are too lethargic to be of any help. In many cases a few crooked policemen often team up with the perpetrators, making matter worse. Thus, the feeling of frustration and anger against the administration wells up within them. Enter the Naxals, Maoist or similar organisation. They give these poor people instant justice by punishing their oppressors. Naturally these poor and innocent village folk are overwhelmed with gratitude towards their saviours. When the government sends in the troops to flush them out, these villagers are eager to help them out in many ways.

In such a scenario it is impossible to root out all of them at one go. They will keep on sprouting here and there. India is too vast a land for the administration to keep tabs on all the unlawful activities at all places.

So, where lies the solution? A four pronged attack is needed to finally rid ourselves of this problem once and for all.

Firstly, weed out corruption from all government offices, panchayats, police stations etc. Corruption is a cancer which is slowly destroying our country. The first and foremost task of the government should be to fight against rampant corruption. People in the urban areas are not so much affected by corruption as the officials hold themselves in check for fear of the media. But in backward areas, the level of corruption is astonishing. There should be a campaign against corruption. Charity must begin at home and the ministers must take a lead in this. Tainted politicians should not be allowed to get ministerial posts even if they are elected.

The local police must be trained in a more humanitarian approach. Today, the level of confidence and trust in the police is non existent. If policemen can rape citizens in the police station, where do the common people turn to for protection? The highest punishment must be meted out in such cases. The policemen must be given special training in a humane approach. The simple village folk will then learn to trust the local policemen rather than run away from them in fear.

Increase the standard of living of the rural folk. This is easier said than done. No doubt our government is making honest efforts in this aspect, but unfortunately most of their efforts are thwarted by rapacious middlemen who grab the majority of aid and welfare meant for the poorer sections of our society. Our public distribution system is riddled with corruption. Even in cases of cyclone relief we have seen hundreds of tons of relief material disappearing overnight. A more efficient system must be put in place whereby the rural folk get their dues. The best way to increase the standard of living is to establish a job guarantee scheme. Such a scheme actually exists on paper but in reality it is still the labour contractors with their powerful political and financial clout who calls the shots.

Invest in education and healthcare. Today, the level of education and healthcare in our interior villagers is pathetic. India has pretensions to be a super power at some time in the future, but as long as we are unable to impart even the basic education to the villagers and provide them with some sort of healthcare we will remain at the bottom of the heap. Some states like Maharashtra have made good progress in providing education for all but much more needs to be done. Today, children have to walk many kilometres to their local school, which may often be in another village. Schoolmasters who can’t make their ends meet with the meagre salaries are often forced to take up a second job and neglect their school altogether. Similiarly, critical patients often have to travel hours to a hospital only to find the resident doctor missing and the hospital in a state of neglect.

The above points are well known to all but the administration needs to implement it more rigourously if they need results. No doubt it is an ardous and thankless task and will take many years for results to show. But a good beginning needs to be made and it is time all those who are in responsible positions raised their voices in order to bring about a change in the way India handles her villages.