Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr PV Ramana’s chapter on Maoism, titled ‘Negotiating with Maoists’, was published in K Ramakrishna Rao and B Sambasiva Prasad, eds., ‘Phenomenology of Violence’, DK Printworld – GITAM (Deemed to be University), New Delhi-Visakhapatnam, 2018.
This article shows that the Maoists have been collecting not less than Rs 140 crore annually from a variety of sources: businesses—big and small—industry; contractors engaged in various trades; corrupt government officials; and political leaders. The largest and principal sources of income for the Maoists are the mining industry, PWD works, and collection of tendu leaves. They have been able to put in place a well-organised mechanism to extort money on a regular basis. Besides, they have conceived ingenious ways to store money and ensure its safety.
Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr PV Ramana’s article on Maoists, titled ‘India’s Maoists: Fading, but still a force’ was published in ‘Telangana Today’ on March 5, 2018.
Dr Ramana, in the article, highlights the fact that the Maoists’ arsenal and military thinktank is intact, but the security forces are gaining ground.
While the intended targets of the Maoists are security forces personnel, often civilians and animals become casualties in blasts triggered by pressure mines.
Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr P V Ramana’s article on Maoism, titled ‘Weakening Maoist guerrilla army’ was published in the Viewpoint section of Telangana Today on December 2, 2017.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to completely clamp down on Maoist finances. However, it is possible to restrict the flow of money into their coffers.
Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr PV Ramana’s article on Mine Protected Vehicles (MPV), titled ‘Fully secure MPV is a Mirage’ was published in ‘Telangana Today’ on May 11, 2017.
Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr PV Ramana’s article on the impact of demonetisation on Maoist activities, titled ‘Big blow to Maoist Finances’ was published in ‘Telangana Today’ on December 19, 2016.
The external linkages of the Maoists are wide, stretching from Latin America to South East Asia. These linkages have, essentially, given them visibility and propaganda, and very occasionally weapons.
Women join Maoist ranks for a variety of reasons: impressionable age, social milieu and circumstances, personal reasons, influence of kin or family and the inspiration of ideology.
Maoists Deploying Pressure Mines
While the intended targets of the Maoists are security forces personnel, often civilians and animals become casualties in blasts triggered by pressure mines.