Publication

This brief explores strategies of youth recruitment among Naxalite insurgent groups in India. It starts by reviewing reports of forcible and voluntary recruitment of children and youths by the Communist Party of India (Maoist). It then presents, using statements by former and current naxalites, their recruitment strategies, the difficulties they face, and the prevalence of caste issues within the insurgency. It also discusses some of the factors contributing to insurgency membership in general and maoist membership among the upper castes in particular. The author finishes with some policy recommendations for tackling the maoist insurgency in India.