Naxalism and terrorism are both linked with violence, but their goals, ideology, and methods are generally considered different.
Naxalism in India is mainly associated with a Maoist political and armed movement that claims to fight for issues like land rights, tribal rights, inequality, and opposition to the state system. It began from the Naxalbari movement in West Bengal in 1967. Naxal groups usually operate in rural or forest regions and target government forces, infrastructure, or state institutions.
Terrorism is a broader term used for violent acts intended to create fear among the public for political, religious, ideological, or separatist purposes. Terrorist groups may target civilians directly to spread fear and pressure governments or societies.
In simple terms, naxalism is often viewed as an armed extremist insurgency with political ideology, while terrorism focuses more on creating widespread fear through violence.
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