The Hindu : National : `Socio-economic factors behind growth of naxalism'

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Sunday, Apr 03, 2005

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National

`Socio-economic factors behind growth of naxalism'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 2. The Task Force on naxalism — set up by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in October last year — has attributed its growth in recent years to socio-economic factors and not the ideological content of the movement. This being the case, the Task Force — in its report submitted to the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, here this evening — has made out a strong case for providing sustainable livelihood to the people to address the naxal problem across the country.

The submission of the report by the six-member Task Force — headed by the Andhra Congressman, M. Shashidhar Reddy — was followed up with a detailed hour-long meeting with Ms. Gandhi and the co-ordinator, Ambika Soni. After touring Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Orissa, the Task Force has concluded that the ideological content of the movement was "rather limited'' to account for the kind of spread naxalism has seen in recent years.

While land redistribution is often seen as a key issue that ought to be addressed to tackle naxalism, the Task Force is of the considered view that it alone would not resolve everything since the need of the hour "is sustainable livelihood." "What is needed is a vibrant, rural economy.''

Another aspect that has been brought to light in the report is the time-consuming and expensive legal process of the country.

In sharp contrast, the naxalites promise and provide "instance justice.''

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