Decline of Left-Wing Extremism in India

Context:

Official statistics indicate that Maoist insurgency, once widespread across the Red Corridor, is now confined to only 18 districts due to targeted development, sustained counterinsurgency operations, and internal organisational weaknesses.

Left-Wing Extremism

Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), commonly referred to as Naxalism, is an armed insurgency movement led by CPI (Maoist) and allied groups advocating Maoist ideology to overthrow the democratic state through armed struggle.

Geographical Spread:

At its peak (late 2000s), the "Red Corridor" covered ~180 districts across multiple states including Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and parts of West Bengal.
Present spread is limited to 18 districts (as per Ministry of Home Affairs data).

Statistical Trends:

Incidents of LWE violence dropped by over 50% between 2004–14 and 2014–23.
Fatalities reduced by nearly 70% in the same period.
Peak violence in 2010: 1,936 incidents and 1,005 deaths.
In 2024: 374 incidents and 150 deaths.

Causes of Decline:

Security Operations: Coordinated campaigns like Operation Green Hunt and strengthening of security infrastructure in affected areas.
Development Initiatives: Road construction, mobile connectivity, health and education facilities in remote tribal areas under schemes like Special Central Assistance to LWE-affected districts.
Internal Weaknesses: Leadership crisis post-resignation of Ganapathy in 2018; death of Basava Raju in 2025; political isolation; ideological rigidity.
Changing Public Attitudes: Younger tribal and peasant communities seeking education, jobs, and integration into mainstream society.
Surrenders: Encouragement through surrender and rehabilitation policies in states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Andhra Pradesh.