Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/331462 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Series/Report no.: 
WIDER Working Paper No. 67/25
Publisher: 
The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), Helsinki
Abstract: 
This paper examines the effects of exposure to hard-security counter-insurgency operations during school-age years on human capital and labour market outcomes in India. We exploit the 1989 introduction of the Greyhounds-a specialized commando force created to combat Naxalite insurgents-in Andhra Pradesh (AP), as a natural experiment. Of all the states affected by Naxalite violence, only AP raised such a police force at the time. We compare outcomes of school-age cohorts in AP with older cohorts, and contrast these patterns with those in other affected states. Intent-to-treat estimates suggest that exposure to the policy during school-age years led to increased educational attainment and, in adulthood, better labour market outcomes and improved socio-economic status. These effects appear to be driven by increased household investment in education due to reduced uncertainty stemming from improved security. Our findings highlight the economic returns to peace and stability in conflict-affected regions.
Subjects: 
childhood
conflict
counter-insurgency
education
employment
India
JEL: 
D74
H56
F52
O12
O15
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
ISBN: 
978-92-9267-626-1
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.