Naxalmukt Bharat Abhiyan

Ten Maoists, including central committee member Manoj, were killed in an anti-Maoist operation in Gariaband, Chhattisgarh, marking a significant blow to the banned CPI (Maoist).

India’s Strategy and Success Against Left Wing Extremism

Background: Left Wing Extremism in India

• Origins and Ideology:
  • Emerged from the Naxalbari Movement (1967, West Bengal).
  • Rooted in socio-economic inequalities and Maoist ideology; targets marginalized tribal and rural populations.
  • Methods: Armed rebellion, extortion, destruction of infrastructure, recruitment of civilians and children.
• Affected Regions – Red Corridor:
  • States: Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana.
  • Historical impact: Hindrance to education, healthcare, banking, postal services, and overall development.

               

Trends in LWE Violence

• Reduction in Affected Districts:
  • From 126 districts in 2018 ? 90 in 2021 ? 38 in 2024.
  • Most affected districts reduced from 12 ? 6 (Chhattisgarh: Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, Sukma; Jharkhand: West Singhbhum; Maharashtra: Gadchiroli).
  • Districts of Concern: Reduced from 9 ? 6.
  • Other affected districts: Reduced from 17 ? 6.
• Decline in Violence:
  • Incidents:1936 in 2010 ? 374 in 2024 (81% reduction).
  • Deaths:1005 in 2010 ? 150 in 2024 (85% reduction).
• State-wise trend (2022–2024):
  • Chhattisgarh: Highest casualties (267 in 2024)
  • Other states: Significant decline, with zero deaths in Kerala and West Bengal in 2024

Government Strategy: National Policy and Action Plan (2015)

Core Principles:

• Zero tolerance for violence: Establish law and order in LWE regions.
• Inclusive development: Rapidly bridge developmental deficits caused by decades of Maoist insurgency.

Multi-pronged Approach:

• Security Measures:
  • Deployment of CAPFs, India Reserve (IR) battalions, Joint Task Forces, CRPF battalions.
  • Construction of 612 Fortified Police Stations (FPS) and 302 new security camps.
  • Helicopters, night landing helipads, modernised intelligence infrastructure.
  • Offensive operations with NIA and Enforcement Directorate to choke finances.
• Development Measures:
  • Road connectivity:17,589 km sanctioned under RRP-I and RCPLWE schemes.
  • Telecom: 7,768 towers commissioned; full mobile connectivity by Dec 2025.
  • Financial inclusion: 1,007 bank branches, 937 ATMs, 5,731 post offices in LWE districts.
  • Skill development & education: 48 ITIs, 61 SDCs, 178 EMRSs.
• Community Engagement:
  • Civic Action Programmes (CAP), media awareness campaigns, tribal youth programs.
  • Emphasis on participatory governance and empowerment of locals.
• Special Financial Assistance:
  • SCA (Special Central Assistance): 30 crore for most affected districts; Rs. 10 crore for districts of concern.
  • SIS (Special Infrastructure Scheme): 1,741 crore sanctioned for intelligence and operational strengthening.
  • SRE Scheme: 3,260 crore released for security-related expenditure.

Success Stories and Achievements

• Operational Success:
  • Neutralisation of key Naxal leaders: 15 top leaders in recent years.
  • 2024–2025 operations: Hundreds of Naxalites killed, arrested, or surrendered (e.g., 50 surrendered in Bijapur, 237 killed in Chhattisgarh since Jan 2024).
  • Substantial reduction in Naxal-affected police stations: 330 ? 104.
  • Reduction in affected areas: 18,000 km² ? 4,200 km².
• Developmental Gains:
  • Effective implementation of welfare schemes reaching marginalized communities.
  • “DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan” launched in 2024: Over 15,000 villages benefiting ~1.5 crore people.
  • Significant increase in budget allocation for LWE-affected areas (300% increase).
• Statistical Highlights:
  • 85% of LWE cadre strength in Chhattisgarh eliminated.
  • Reduction of violent incidents by 53% (2014–2024).
  • Casualties among security forces decreased by 73% (1,851 ? 509).

               

Challenges Remaining:

• Residual insurgent presence in core districts (Bijapur, Sukma, Gadchiroli).
• Sustaining development momentum and infrastructure maintenance.
• Preventing recruitment of new cadres due to socio-economic disparities.

Way Forward:

• Complete saturation of connectivity (road, mobile, financial) by 2026.
• Continued focus on skill development and tribal education for long-term integration.
• Enhanced coordination between central and state security agencies for residual LWE hotspots.
• Monitoring and evaluation of welfare schemes to ensure last-mile delivery.
• Strengthening legal and financial measures to prevent resurgence and financing of Naxalism.