Naxal Mukt Bharat

NAXAL MUKT BHARAT

Background:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently announced a significant reduction in the number of districts affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), or Naxalism, in India.
• On March 30, 2025, He also marked a major achievement in the government’s effort to eradicate Naxalism, with a target set for the complete elimination of this insurgency by March 31, 2026.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT

• Reduction in Affected Districts:
  • The number of districts severely affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) has dropped from 12 to just 6.
  • This represents a 50% reduction in the most affected regions.
  • Six districts still considered most impacted by Naxalism are:
    • Chhattisgarh: Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, Sukma
    • Jharkhand: West Singhbhum
    • Maharashtra: Gadchiroli
• Districts of Concern:
  • The number of Districts of Concern, which require additional resources but are not as severely affected as the top six, has decreased from 9 to 6. These districts include:
    • Andhra Pradesh: Alluri Sitarama Raju
    • Madhya Pradesh: Balaghat
    • Odisha: Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Malkangiri
    • Telangana: Bhadradri-Kothagudem
• Financial Assistance:
  • The government has allocated special funding for these districts under a financial scheme:
    • ₹30 crore for the most affected districts.
    • ₹10 crore for the districts of concern.

GOAL OF NAXAL MUKT BHARAT

• Amit Shah reiterated the government’s goal to make India “Naxal-free” by March 31, 2026.
• Shah highlighted that this target is achievable through the relentless efforts of the Modi government, combining a strong security approach with developmental initiatives.
• Two significant encounters in Chhattisgarh (March 19, 2025), which led to the death of 30 Maoists and the loss of one Indian soldier, were cited as important steps in this campaign. Shah praised these encounters as a major success in the journey towards a Naxal-Mukt Bharat.

IMPACT OF MODI GOVT’S EFFORTS

• Decline in Violent Incidents:
  • From 2004 to 2014, there were 16,463 incidents of Naxal violence. Under PM Modi’s leadership (2014-2024), this number dropped by 53%, falling to 7,744
  • Casualties have also significantly reduced, with security forces’ casualties falling by 73% (from 1851 to 509) and civilian casualties decreasing by 70% (from 4766 to 1,495).

LEFT WING EXTREMISM (LWE) IN INDIA

• Origins and Ideology:
  • Naxalism traces its roots to the 1967 Naxalbari Uprising in West Bengal. It is based on the ideology of violence and armed insurrection to overthrow the state and establish a Communist government.
  • The Naxal insurgency, which aims to mobilize the tribal population, is primarily concentrated in what is known as India’s Red Corridor, covering parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
• Declining Impact:
  • In 2013, there were 126 districts affected by Naxalism, but this number has since decreased to 38 in 2024, signaling a significant improvement.
  • There has also been a sharp increase in the number of Naxalites arrested (17%), surrendered (1.5 times), and killed (5 times), showcasing the government’s aggressive stance against extremism.

MEASURES TO TACKLE LEFT WING EXTREMISM

• Policy Measures:
  • In 2015, the Indian government approved a National Policy and Action Plan to address LWE, focusing on both security and developmental strategies.
  • In 2017, the SAMADHAN doctrine was introduced, a framework outlining the approach to counter LWE, which includes Strategy, Actionable intelligence, Mobilization of forces, Awareness campaigns, and Development in affected areas.
• Security Measures:
  • Fortification of police stations in vulnerable areas under the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS).
  • Increased funding for security operations in LWE-affected states, nearly tripling the budget to around ₹3,000 crore.
  • High-profile counter-insurgency operations like Operation Green Hunt, Operation Octopus, Operation Double Bull, and Operation Chakrabandha have been launched to target Naxal hotspots.
• Developmental Measures:
  • Infrastructure Development: Over the last decade, the government has constructed over 14,000 km of roads in LWE-affected areas to improve connectivity and facilitate security and development efforts.
  • Education: The establishment of 216 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in tribal areas to promote education and reduce Naxalite influence over the younger population.
  • Aspirational Districts Program: The Ministry of Home Affairs monitors 35 LWE-affected districts under this program, aiming to uplift socio-economic conditions in these regions.
  • Rehabilitation for Surrendered Extremists: Naxals who surrender can receive legal aid, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, fostering their reintegration into society.

CONCLUSION

The reduction in the number of LWE-affected districts and the decreasing number of violent incidents in Naxal-impacted areas are clear indicators of the Indian government’s success in combating Naxalism. By adopting a combination of security, development, and rehabilitation measures, the government aims to create a “Naxal-Mukt Bharat” by 2026. While challenges remain, particularly in the six most affected districts, the progress made thus far offers hope for a future free from Left-Wing Extremism.

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