naxalites are a group of far-left radical communists, supportive of maoist political sentiment and ideology. their origin can be traced to the splitting in 1967 of the communist party of india (marxist), leading to the formation of the communist party of india (marxist–leninist). initially the movement had its centre in west bengal. in recent years, it has spread into less developed areas of rural central and eastern india, such as chhattisgarh and andhra pradesh through the activities of underground groups like the communist party of india (maoist). dalits and other lower-caste members have also joined the militant movement.