ABSTRACT
In its close to six decades of existence, the Maoist insurgency has evolved in many shapes and forms, and so has the Indian state’s response to it. Over the years, there has been substantial addition to the existing policies in effectively addressing the issues emanating from the conflict between the Maoists and the Indian state. This chapter investigates the state’s response to the Maoists. In doing so, it analyses four significant responses of the successive governments in India (security, development, ensuring rights and entitlements, surrender and rehabilitation, and public perception management). While reflecting on the strengths and drawbacks of each of these responses, the chapter also focuses on the more significant debate on how the Maoist insurgents and the Indian state interact. The chapter ends with policy recommendations that could help minimize the conflict.
