UPSC Mains 2022 GS3 Q20 — Internal Security
Naxalism is a social, economic and developmental issue manifesting as a violent internal security threat. In this context, discuss the emerging issues and suggest a multilayered strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism. (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- discuss
- Scope keywords
- social, economic and developmental issueviolent internal security threatemerging issuesmultilayered strategymenace of Naxalism
- Implicit sub-parts
- Briefly validate the transition from socio-economic grievances to security threats.
- Analyze current 'emerging issues' such as tactical urban warfare, recruitment of youth through social media, and shifting geographical corridors.
- Detail a strategy involving law enforcement, developmental interventions, and psychological/ideological counter-measures.
- Evaluate the role of state vs. central coordination in the current LWE landscape.
- Common pitfalls
- Focusing too much on the historical origin (1967 Naxalbari) rather than current 'emerging' trends.
- Treating it purely as a law and order problem while ignoring the 'developmental' directive in the prompt.
- Vague suggestions for the strategy like 'provide jobs' instead of naming specific schemes like SAMADHAN or Bastar Battalion.
- Ignoring the 'urban naxalism' or 'front organizations' aspect which is a key emerging dimension.
- Dimensions required
- Socio-Economic (Tribal rights, land alienation)Security (Tactical Counter-Offensive Campaigns)Developmental (Infrastructure, connectivity in 'Red Corridor')Governance (Panchayats/PESA Act implementation)Psychological (Surrender and rehabilitation policies)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 50 words to link the socio-economic causes to security threats. Spend 80 words detailing 3-4 specific 'emerging issues' like technical upgrades or geographical shifts. Reserve 120 words for the 'multilayered strategy' ensuring it covers hard power, soft power, and legal frameworks.
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