Maoist Violence in Phase I of India’s Election

The first phase of India’s four week long general election was held last week. Voting was held in many of the areas most affected by the insurgency. The Communist Party of India (Maoist), the main rebel group, called an electoral boycott, threatening to sever the thumb of any one whose hand bore the indelible ink which is used to cast a vote.

At least 19 people were killed across the country as the Maoists demonstrated their ability t0 conduct simultaneous, co-ordinated strikes.

As the BBC writes:

“There were more than a dozen other incidents where insurgents attacked polling stations, kidnapped voting officers and fought fierce gun battles with security forces.”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8000074.stm

While the Indian media has extensively (if superficially) covered the attacks, I can’t help but think that once the election is over the war will again become largely ignored. Tactically and strategically this serves the Maoists well in this phase of their ‘People’s War’.