Beyond Bombs and Bullets

Abstract The Indo-Naxalite conflict, situated in India’s resource-rich Red Corridor, presents a complex interplay of socio-political strife, environmental degradation, and natural resource mismanagement. This paper examines the conflict as a non-international armed conflict ( niac ) under international law, emphasizing the legal obligations of both the Indian State and Naxalite forces regarding environmental harm and resource exploitation. Drawing from International Humanitarian Law ( ihl ), International Human Rights Law ( ihrl ), and International Environmental Law ( iel ), it critiques the inadequacy of existing frameworks to address the dual crises of armed violence and ecological degradation. The paper highlights the role of mismanaged resources in fueling hostilities and undermining tribal livelihoods while proposing a peacebuilding approach prioritizing sustainable resource management and human rights protection. Through the lens of this conflict, the analysis offers broader insights into the intersection of resource exploitation, environmental harm, and transitional justice in armed conflicts globally.