New Delhi: The CNNIBN-The Week State of The Nation poll

New Delhi: The CNNIBN-The Week State of The Nation poll has found that less than 30 per cent of the people living in the red zone were aware of the Operation Green Hunt, the United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) most controversial and massive anti-Naxal operation, which is currently underway in the heart of India. While 17 per cent know who's spearheading the operation.

The findings of the exclusive CNNIBN-The Week opinion poll in the red corridor suggested that only 27 per cent of the people were aware of the Operation Green Hunt. However, a majority, i.e, 85 per cent respondents were aware of Naxalites. Out of those polled, just 10 per cent were aware of Salwa Judum, the Chhattisgarh's controversial tribal group against the Naxals. 45 per cent aware of the killing of CRPF Jawans by the Naxals.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, who scorched criticism as he aggressively hard sells his paramilitary offensive; it is a modest expectation that residents in the Naxal corridor must know his name. But the result of the CNNIBN-The Week Opinion Poll has revealed that only 17 per cent know the name of the Home Minister. While 45 per cent knew the name of the Prime Minister.

Not surprisingly, the local politicians scored better than the prominent national leaders. The poll showed that 53 per cent of the people knew the name of the local MLAs and 63 per cent know the names of their Chief Minister.

With a high of 85 per cent, Naxalites seem to outscore every one else on awareness, but what do citizens think is their aim.

The opinion poll indicated that while 52 per cent of the people did not give an opinion, among those, who did 22 per cent felt that they wanted a revolution to overthrow the Government and capture the power. 14 per cent of people said they wanted money and power for themselves. While, 12 per cent felt that Naxalites wanted justice for the poor by using the gun

The results of the poll suggested awareness about the Operation Green Hunt, and its architect, P Chidambaram remained very low. The fact that 85 per cent of people know about Naxalites, also is a pointer to the fact that they become a part of the local landscape and people.

Very high level of awareness about Naxalites
	Naxal Affected districts 2010	All India 2009
Heard about Naxalites	85%	54%

Familiarity with the Naxalites is not recent
Knew about Naxal since
More than 5 years	44%
Between 1-5 years	34%
During last 1 year	22%

Lower awareness about events highlighted by media
Those who had heard about	All	In Chhattisgarh
Operation Green Hunt	27%	28%
Salwa Judum	10%	51%
Death of Maoist leader Azad	20%	24%
Killing of CRPF Jawans by Naxals	45%	54%
Articles by Arundhati Roy	6%	9%

Uneven awareness about political leaders
Those who knew the name of
Prime Minister	45%
Home Minister	17%
Chief Minister*	63%
Local Member of Parliament	38%
Local M.L.A	53%