in september 2009, india's prime minister manmohan singh admitted that the maoists had growing appeal among a large section of indian society, including tribal communities, the rural poor as well as sections of the intelligentsia and the youth. he added that "dealing with left-wing extremism requires a nuanced strategy – a holistic approach. it cannot be treated simply as a law and order problem." in the first half of 2009, 56 maoist attacks were reported. the south asia terrorism portal reported 998 killed in the conflict: 392 civilians, 312 security forces and 294 rebels.