Consistent decline in Left Wing Extremism, Parliament told

New Delhi: After 31 Maoist guerrillas and two policemen were killed in an operation in Chhattisgarh on February 9, 2025, the Government today claimed in Parliament a consistent decline in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) both in terms of geographical spread and violence.

Earlier on February 9, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah vowed to eradicate naxalism from the country by March 31, 2026.

Today, the Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, claimed a progressive decline in the number of districts affected by Left Wing Extremism because of the “resolute” implementation of the ‘National Policy and Action Plan’ both by the Centre and the States to address LWE. He referred to the three reviews of LWE-affected districts undertaken in the last six years. They suggested a reduction from 126 to 90 districts in April 2018, further to 70 in July 2021 and then to 38 in April 2024. Violence perpetrated by LWE reduced by 81% in 2024 compared to 2010 (2024: 374, 2010:1936). The resultant deaths (Civilians + Security Forces) also reduced by 85% during the same period (2024: 150, 2010: 1005). Citing the example of Chhattisgarh, he said violence perpetrated by LWE in the state reduced by 47% in 2024 in comparison to the high levels of 2010. Deaths of civilians and security forces also reduced by 64% during the same period (2024: 122, 2010: 343). 

Rai also tabled the following year-wise details of incidents of Left Wing Extremism violence during the last five years in the House:

To address the LWE problem holistically, a “National Policy and Action Plan” to address LWE was approved in 2015. It envisages a multi-prolonged strategy involving security-related measures, development interventions, and ensuing rights and entitlements of local communities. On the security front, the Government of India (GoI) assists the LWE affected States by providing Central Armed Police battalions, training and funds for the modernization of State police forces, equipment and arms, sharing of intelligence, construction of Fortified Police Stations; on development side, apart from flagship schemes, GoI has taken several specific initiatives in LWE affected States, with special thrust on expansion of road network, improving telecommunication connectivity, skilling and financial inclusion.

Under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme funds are provided to LWE-affected states for capacity building through provisions of ex-gratia to the family of civilian/Security Forces killed in Left Wing Extremism violence, training and operational needs of security forces, rehabilitation of surrendered LWE cadres, community policing, compensation to security force personnel/civilians for property damage by LWE etc. Under this scheme, Rs. 1925.83 crores have been released to all LWE-affected States during the last 5 years (between 2019-20 and now). This includes Rs. 829.80 crore for Chhattisgarh.

Strengthening of Special Forces, Special Intelligence Branches (SIBs) and District Police is undertaken through the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), under which Rs. 394.31 crore have been released to all LWE affected States during the last 5 years (between 2019-20 and now). This includes Rs. 85.42 crore for Chhattisgarh. 702 Fortified Police Stations (FPSs) including 147 for Chhattisgarh have been sanctioned for LWE affected states. Of these, 612 FPSs, including 125 in Chhattisgarh have been constructed.

To give further impetus to development in most Left Wing Extremism-affected districts, funds are provided to the states under the Special Central Assistance (SCA) Scheme to fill critical gaps in public infrastructure and services. Under this scheme, Rs. 2384.17 crores have been released to all LWE-affected States during the last 5 years (from 2019-20 to till date). This includes Rs. 773.62 Crore for Chhattisgarh.

Further, Rs. 654.84 crore have been given to Central Agencies during the last five years (2019-20 to till date) for helicopters and addressing critical infrastructure in security camps in LWE-affected areas, under ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for LWE Management (ACALWEM)’ Scheme.

On the development front, the following specific initiatives have been taken in Chhattisgarh:

• For the expansion of the road network,  4046  km of roads have been constructed so far in LWE-affected areas.
• To improve telecom connectivity,  1333  towers have been commissioned.
• For financial inclusion of the local population in the LWE-affected districts, 1214 Post Offices have been opened. Further, 297 Bank Branches and 268 ATMs have been opened.
• For skill development, 9 ITIs and 14 Skill Development Centers (SDCs) have been made functional.
• For quality education of tribals in LWE-affected districts, 45 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) have been made functional.
• In addition, under the Civic Action Programme, Central Armed Police Forces (CRPF, BSF, SSB and ITBP) deployed in LWE-affected areas undertake various civic activities for the welfare of the locals and to wean away the youth from the influence of the Maoists.

Tribal Youth Exchange Programs (TYEPs) are also being organized through Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) for the integration of tribal youth of LWE-affected districts with the National mainstream, the government told Parliament today.

– global bihari bureau