Naxalism and Tribes in India

Abstract

India has the second largest concentration of tribal population in the world after the African continent. The Schedule Tribes (ST from now on) occupy isolate areas which are comprised of hilly terrain. These Schedule Tribes have a tradition of strongly resisting the infiltration of outsiders, and particularly foreign outsiders into their areas. History provides evidence of protracted struggles between the foreign invaders and the tribals when the former attempted to enter into their areas. In this light the present article aims to highlight the interpretational information related to Naxalism and tribes in India. Here, we present an overview of Naxalism, its genesis, the salient features of the 'Action Plan' of the Naxalite movement. We shall also discuss the so-called “Maoist Mayhem”, and Naxalism in Tribal areas and its causes.We shall also discuss measures related to Naxalism and the tribal situation in general. As a conclusion, we shall argue that Naxalism is not a law and order problem but is, moreover, related to an imbalance in the dispensation of social and economic justice, with particular focus on land and mineral resources.

Keywords

• naxalism
• tribes
• naxalite movement
• maoist mayhem