The massive influx of sophisticated small arms and ammunition into various theatres of violence in India isa serious problem. While cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and insurgencies in the Northeast remainthe focus of the most urgent concern, the areas afflicted by various left-wing extremists groups - orNaxalites - remain relatively neglected. The easy availability of arms and explosives is one of the majorfactors contributing to the survival, consolidation and expansion of these various movements in India.
An escalation in Naxalite violence has been witnessed in the States of Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar,Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra in recent times. According todata compiled by the Institute for Conflict Management, a total of 311 persons, including 57 securityforce (SF) personnel, 133 civilians and 121 Naxalites have already been killed during the current year, tillJuly 15. The year 2002 saw a total of 1,465 incidents and 482 deaths, as compared to 1,208 incidents and 564deaths in the year 2001. Some 40 Naxalite groups are active in India, of which the People's War Group (PWG)and the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) constitute the most formidable security challenge.
Even a cursory glance at the trajectory of Naxalite movements in India demonstrates the increasingsophistication of their arsenal. During the initial years of the movement, Naxalite groups used traditionalweapons like lathis (staffs), spears, sickles and other sharp edge weapons and single and double barrelguns, mostly stolen from village landlords and the police arsenal. The groups now have access to the AK seriesof rifles, landmines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) among others. Groups like the PWG and the MCCalso have dedicated underground arms production units. In addition, snatchings during attacks on the securityforces, a complex network of criminals, arms smugglers, gun dealers and networking with other militant groupsprovide a complex and varied source of arms for the Naxalites.
The looting of weapons from police personnel, civilians and private companies has always been a source ofarms. Thus, on April 15, 2003, Naxalites of the MCC killed eight police personnel and looted six Self LoadingRifles, two other rifles, a revolver and several rounds of ammunition from them after setting off a landminein the forests of the Cherki Valley in the Nawada district of Bihar. On April 14, 2003, MCC cadres attacked aGovernment Railway Police (GRP) post at Chandrapura railway station in the Bokaro district of Jharkhand andlooted 23 rifles and several hundred cartridges. On March 18, 2003, Naxalites of the MCC injured three policepersonnel and looted 15 rifles and 1,000 bullets in an attack on a police post in the Lodhipur village of Gayadistrict in Bihar.