Development-deficit key cause of Naxalism: SOTN

New Delhi: The CNNIBN-The Week State Of The Nation poll has found that development-deficit is the main reason for rise in Naxalism in the red corridor. The CNNIBN-The Week opinion poll conducted among people living in the worst Naxal-affected areas suggested that a majority of the people are reluctant to speak up on the reasons even though amongst those who had an opinion.

The exclusive findings of the survey show that development-deficit is the main reason for rise in Naxalism. But there's still no sympathy for the Naxals. The other factors like absence of justice, lack of development etc have also triggered Naxalism in the belt.

Out of those polled, 32 per cent agreed lack of development is the reason behind the Naxal surge in the red corridor. While 13 per cent felt social inequality and a sense of helplessness was responsible, the majority, i.e 55 per cent had no opinion on the issue.

Despite a high number of people with no opinion on the cause behind Naxalism - a majority of the respondents said they did not have sympathy for the people's war - the findings also suggested that 10 per cent said they were sympathisers. Thirty-seven per cent, however, said they had mild sympathy, 23 per cent said they were hostile while another 30 per cent expressed mild hostility.

The poll also indicated that most people living in Naxal-affected districts believe the footsoldiers of Naxal activities were mostly the poor and 'Adivasis'. The poll showed that 26 per cent felt that Naxalites were underprivileged and poor, whereas seven per cent had a negative description for Naxalites. But, a majority of the respondents, i.e., 49 per cent, had no opinion.

When specifically asked if they felt they were 'Adivasis', 25 per cent felt that Naxalites were Adivasis and 19 per cent felt that they were non- Adivasis from outside areas. 51 per cent had no opinion on the origin of Naxals.

But the one uniform takeaway from The CNNIBN-The Week State Of The Nation poll was the unusually large numbers of people who did not wish to give an opinion when asked; possibly indicating towards a prevailing atmosphere of fear.