The spiralling crisis in Jammu and Kashmir; the Naxalite-Maoist menace that seems to be intensifying with every passing day; the disturbing reach of proxy governments run by militant groups in Manipur and Nagaland today, a quarter of India is being held hostage by violence and anarchy. What has pushed our country to the edge? in a series of dispatches from the epicentres of what they call the country’s ‘battle zones’, Neelesh Misra and Rahul Pandita unveil the tensions, frustrations and challenges that are everyday realities in these troubled regions – from the widespread misappropriation of development funds in tribal and remote areas, to lack of education and rampant exploitation. And, at the heart of the ongoing turmoil, ordinary people mourn the loss of their loved ones – to starvation, lack of healthcare facilities and militancy even as they voice their demand to be heard. The stories are many; the cast varied. Collectively, they present an alarming picture of systemic failure on the part of the Indian state. A potent reminder of the mistakes that the government of India cannot afford to repeat, the Absent State is a work of great significance – an essential read for anyone who wants to make sense of the tumult of our times.