People’s Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA) recently targeted a team of security forces in the Tarrem area near the Sukma-Bijapur district border, Chhattisgarh. This led to the death of several security personnel, while others were injured. The PLGA was established in 2000 and has been recognized as a terrorist organization, banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act-1967 (UAPA).
About the Sukma District
Located at Chhattisgarh’s southern tip, Sukma District was split from Dantewada in 2012. It is populated by the Gond tribal community and characterized by semi-tropical forest landscapes. The Sabari River, a tributary of Godavari river, runs through this district. Over the past few decades, Sukma has become a hotbed for Left Wing Extremism (LWE) activities due to its uneven terrains and complex geographic locations, providing safe hideouts for LWE operatives.
Left Wing Extremism in India
Left-wing extremism, globally known as Maoism and locally referred to as Naxalism in India, originated in West Bengal’s Naxalbari village. It sprouted in 1967 as a rebellion against local landlords who mistreated a peasant over land disputes, aiming to rightfully redistribute land to working peasants. This movement later spread across less-developed areas in Eastern India, including states such as Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. Naxals are believed to endorse Maoist political sentiments and ideologies derived from Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Tse Tung, advocating capturing state power through armed insurgency, mass mobilization, and strategic alliances.
Causes of Left Wing Extremism
Several reasons contribute to the rise of LWE, including tribal discontent due to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 that targets tribals dependent on forest produce. Massive displacement of the tribal population in naxal-affected states for developmental projects and mining operations also contribute to this extremism. Moreover, socio-economic gaps within the country make those without a stable source of income easy targets for Maoists who offer them arms, ammunition, and funds. The government’s lack of an effective approach in handling Naxalite issues, coupled with infrastructural problems like inadequate communication networks, adds fuel to the fire.
Government Actions to Combat LWE
In response to the escalating LWE issue, the government has initiated several strategies. ‘Greyhounds,’ an elite anti-naxal force, was created in 1989. ‘Operation Green Hunt’ saw extensive deployment of security forces in naxal-affected areas in 2009-10. To improve mobile connectivity in LWE areas, the government approved the LWE Mobile Tower Project in 2014, which involved setting up mobile towers in affected states. The Aspirational Districts Programme launched in 2018 aimed for rapid transformation in districts lagging in key social areas. SAMADHAN, a comprehensive doctrine encompassing smart leadership, aggressive strategy, motivation and training, actionable intelligence, dashboard-based KPIs and KRAs, harnessing technology, action plans for each theater, and cutting off financing, was introduced as the one-stop solution for LWE.
Looking Ahead
Despite a decrease in incidents of LWE violence recently, continued focus and effort are required to eliminate such groups. The government must ensure the security of peaceful citizens and pursue the development of naxal-affected regions. It involves continuous coordinated efforts between the state and center, with the latter playing a supportive role and the state police forces leading the charge. To minimize the loss of security personnel’s lives, the government should consider technological solutions such as drone use.
