Terrorist victimization: A case study from India

The focus of terrorist victimization is largely upon the people hurt by terrorist groups or by state agencies acting in retaliation. However, victimization also comes from the policies and actions of the state that gives rise to the terrorism in the first place. This paper examines the nature of terrorist victimization in India. It focuses upon left‐wing terrorism in the state of Bihar and describes the anarchic situation prevailing there. The paper argues that victimization is coming both from the brutalities of the terrorist squads as well as the illegal actions of the police agencies. However, underlying these terrorist actions are government policies that have failed to address the democratic concerns of the citizens and which are unable to develop the economy. The paper also argues that it is necessary to ensure that state agencies do not go beyond the purview of legal boundaries. Only a state, dealing fairly, ensuring a rule of law and concerned about the victimization of all kinds can bring about the desired recovery of the people who alone suffer grievously.