Bastar:
The Prime Minister has said that Maoists are the greatest threat to our internal security. In fact more people have been killed in the fight against Left wing extremism than in violence carried out by terrorists.
But how exactly do the Maoists operate? NDTV travels deep inside Bastar, into a Maoist camp, to take a look at their lives.
It is easy and difficult to find the Maoist in the forests - easy because they are there almost everywhere, and difficult because you never know which way you are going or how long it will take you to reach the top leadership.
In this world of modern warfare, the Maoists surprisingly use antiquated weapons and have mastered the art of using old methods of communications.
Also, in the age of cell phones it is an extensive and trusted network of human couriers, including villagers, that are used to send and receive messages. It doubles up as an intelligence service as well.
Senior Naxal leaders do use cell phones, but sparingly, and change the numbers frequently. They also carry makeshift tents which can be assembled or packed up in five minutes; almost everything is temporary.
The food is gathered from local villagers. The Maoists are never in camp in one place for long, yet there is strong organisation in their military tactics.
"There is a base force, a secondary force and primary force. The base force is people's militia who watch the enemy, the primary force is the combat force that leads attacks," says Kosa, President, Dandyankaranya Special Zonal Committee.
It may seem like a rag-tag force, but it's held together with a strong discipline and fear.
Any cadre or villagers seen to be violating the Maoist diktat faces what their critics call a 'Kangaroo Court'. Punishment could range from hard labour, expulsion from the party and even death, which is reserved usually for police informers or those who work against the party.
And everything, including an interview, has to have the clearance of the top most body - the central committee.
"There is no place for people who are against the larger interest of the people," Kosa says.
But for villagers here, caught between the Maoist and government troops, it's often much more than what they can handle.
But how exactly do the Maoists operate? NDTV travels deep inside Bastar, into a Maoist camp, to take a look at their lives.
It is easy and difficult to find the Maoist in the forests - easy because they are there almost everywhere, and difficult because you never know which way you are going or how long it will take you to reach the top leadership.
In this world of modern warfare, the Maoists surprisingly use antiquated weapons and have mastered the art of using old methods of communications.
Also, in the age of cell phones it is an extensive and trusted network of human couriers, including villagers, that are used to send and receive messages. It doubles up as an intelligence service as well.
Senior Naxal leaders do use cell phones, but sparingly, and change the numbers frequently. They also carry makeshift tents which can be assembled or packed up in five minutes; almost everything is temporary.
The food is gathered from local villagers. The Maoists are never in camp in one place for long, yet there is strong organisation in their military tactics.
"There is a base force, a secondary force and primary force. The base force is people's militia who watch the enemy, the primary force is the combat force that leads attacks," says Kosa, President, Dandyankaranya Special Zonal Committee.
It may seem like a rag-tag force, but it's held together with a strong discipline and fear.
Any cadre or villagers seen to be violating the Maoist diktat faces what their critics call a 'Kangaroo Court'. Punishment could range from hard labour, expulsion from the party and even death, which is reserved usually for police informers or those who work against the party.
And everything, including an interview, has to have the clearance of the top most body - the central committee.
"There is no place for people who are against the larger interest of the people," Kosa says.
But for villagers here, caught between the Maoist and government troops, it's often much more than what they can handle.
