The Ministry of Home Affairs recently disclosed data on left-wing extremism (LWE) in the Indian Parliament. According to their report, Naxal violence incidents across the country have decreased by 77% between 2009 and 2021.
However, deaths among security personnel due to Maoist violence have more than doubled in Chhattisgarh over the past three years. Overall, LWE-related deaths (including both civilians and security forces) have decreased by 85% from a peak of 1,005 in 2010 to only 147 in 2021.
Among Indian states, Chhattisgarh has seen the most significant casualties, accounting for 90% of all security personnel deaths, followed by Jharkhand with 5 personnel casualties.
Shrinking Geographical Reach of Left-Wing Extremism
The geographical distribution of left-wing extremist violence has also reduced significantly. Only 46 districts reported LWE-related violence in 2021, down from 96 districts in 2010. This decline has led to a reduction in the number of districts covered under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme from 126 to 90 in 2018, and further falling to 70 in 2021.
The number of districts generating nearly 90% of LWE violence, classified as the most LWE-affected districts, decreased from 35 in 2018 to 30 in 2021.
Understanding Left-Wing Extremism
Left-wing extremism encompasses organizations that attempt to bring change through violent revolution. These groups oppose democratic institutions and use violence to subvert democratic processes at the ground level, often hampering developmental processes in India’s most underdeveloped regions. They maintain their sway over people by keeping them ignorant of current events.
Triggers of Left-Wing Extremism
Several factors contribute to the rise and persistence of left-wing extremism. Notable among these are tribal discontent due to forest conservation laws and displacement due to development and mining projects. Other triggers include socio-economic gaps and the lack of strong technical intelligence, infrastructural problems, lack of follow-up from administration, and the state government’s reluctance to tackle the issue.
Government Initiatives Against Left-Wing Extremism
The Indian government has launched several initiatives to combat LWE. The SAMADHAN doctrine is a comprehensive solution that includes both short-term and long-term strategies. Introduced in 2015, the national strategy aims to ensure participatory governance and protection of local tribals’ rights, among other objectives.
Other notable measures include greater intelligence sharing, raising a separate Indian Reserved Battalion (IRBs), establishing the National Policy and Action Plan in 2015, providing funds for police modernization and training, and launching multiple development initiatives.
The government also initiated Operation Green Hunt in 2009-10, which saw a massive deployment of security forces in naxal-affected areas. Additionally, the state of Andhra Pradesh raised ‘Greyhounds’, an elite anti-naxal force, in 1989.
The Need for Innovative Solutions
Despite these measures, the government needs innovative solutions to locate armed groups in the dense forests of Naxalism-affected regions. Local police, who are familiar with local languages and regional topography, can be more effective in combating Naxalism than the armed forces. Both security for peace-loving citizens and development of Naxalism-affected regions are of utmost importance.
State governments must recognize and address Naxalism as a problem within their jurisdictions, seeking assistance from the central government if necessary. Overcoming this challenge will require strategic planning, resource mobilization, and appropriate implementation of relevant policies and interventions.
Last Modified: February 15, 2024