Socio-economic Inequality or Demographic Conditions: A Micro-level Analysis of Terrorism in Jharkhand. Issue 1 (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ouassini, Nabil; Verma, Arvind
• Is Part Of: Journal of victimology and victim justice. Volume 1:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: India -- police -- Naxalism -- socio-economic -- Jharkhand; Victims of crimes -- Periodicals; Criminals -- Periodicals; 364
• DOI: 10.1177/2516606918765494
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2516-6069

Abstract

A popular perception is that left-wing extremism has its roots in the phenomenon of socio-economic inequality. Yet, empirical work analysing this perception and exploring the links between left-wing extremism and socio-economic deprivation is limited. This article examines the relationship between socio-economic-demographic indices and left-wing extremism in the state of Jharkhand in India. The analysis tests the strength of the relationship linking left-wing terrorist incidents that occurred between the years of 2005 and March of 2012 and various socio-economic-demographic factors. The results suggest that the districts that report high incidents of terrorist attacks are not only linked to socio-economic inequality but also associated with socio-demographic conditions concerning state access and the lack of penetration by security and government agencies. In the conclusion, policy implications and future research for the state of Jharkhand are suggested.