The Indian government says it is determined to finish off what it calls leftist extremism as its army prepares for an all-out assault against Maoist rebels.

The Maoists have been active in India since the 1960s and, according to Indian intelligence, 22,000 rebels are active in the country and have created what is known as a red corridor from the countries northeast to its deep south.

The Maoists say they are fighting for the rights of the poor but the government regards them as terrorists and their political wing is banned from the Indian parliament.

We ask whether the government's military offensive will succeed in eradicating Maoism from the country or whether it will give further strength to the insurgency.

Inside Story's Nick Clarke discusses with guests Radha D'Souza, a law lecturer at the University of Westminster, Lawrence Saez, a deputy chair at the Centre of South Asian Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, and D.C. Nath, the president of the International Institute of Security and Safety Management.

This episode of Inside Story aired from Tuesday, September 28, 2009.