Cops took a bigger hit than Naxalites in 2007

Naxalite rebellions stretch from the far north of India well into the south of the country, generally in hilly, forested areas, often with significant mineral resources. Feeding off land disputes, government neglect and ethnic tensions, they seem to have had some success in turning local populations against the authorities. When insurgent casualties dip from roughly equal to roughly half of those suffered by the police and army, it is a clear sign that the rebels are winning, with popular support on their side.

These figures quoted by the Hindustan Times show that in 2007, 214 policemen were killed in the fight against the Naxals, while only 133 Naxalite casualties were recorded.

Time for a change in strategy, one would hope.

More than 200 policemen lost their lives fighting Maoists in central India’s killing fields this year. The number of Naxalites they killed was a little above half this figure, according to official records.

The year 2007 saw the highest body loss suffered by security forces in many years in the battle against Maoist guerrillas, whom Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called ‘ the single biggest security challenge to the Indian state’.

Singh told a conference of ministers this month that the Naxals – who were consolidating, getting stronger and more confident – had developed the capability in some areas to launch frontal attacks on police forces and establishments.

Posted by Szamko
Just tries to tell the truth.