MoS Home Nityanand Rai outlines crackdown on left wing extremism, rigorous work of police on naxalism

New Delhi, December 11

Speaking on recent crackdown on left wing extremism in the country, MoS (Home) Nityanand Rai elaborated on the rigorous work of the state police and CAPFs. 

MoS Rai said that, LWE related violence has reduced by 73% in 2023 in comparison to the high levels of 2010.  Resultant deaths (Civilians + Security Forces) have also  reduced by 86% during the  same  period.   In the  current year (upto 15.11.2024), there has been a further reduction of 25% in LWE perpetrated incidents of violence as compared to the corresponding period of 2023.

There has also been a progressive decline in the number of districts affected by LWE.   In view of the consistently improving situation, three review of LWE affected districts have been undertaken in the last six years with reduction from 126 to 90 districts in April 2018, further to 70 in July 2021 and then to 38 in April 2024, he said. 

Rai mentioned that 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, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities etc. While on security front, the Government of India (GoI) assists the LWE affected States by providing Central Armed Police battalions, training & funds for modernization of State police forces, equipment & arms, sharing of intelligence, construction of Fortified Police Stations etc; 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.

During the last five years between 2019-20 to 2023-24, Rs. 4350.78 crore have been released for capacity building of the LWE affected states under the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), Security Related Expenditure (SRE) and Special Central Assistance (SCA) schemes. Further, Rs. 560.22 crore have been given to Central Agencies during the last 05 years (2019-20 to 2023-24) for helicopters and addressing critical infrastructure in security camps in LWE affected areas, under Assistance to Central Agencies for LWE Management (ACALWEM) Scheme. 

In a pointer reply in the Parliament, Rai mentioned that on development front, specific initiatives have been taken which include :

For expansion of road network, 14469 km roads have been constructed so far in LWE affected areas.

To improve telecom connectivity, 6567 towers have been commissioned.

For financial inclusion of the local population in the LWE affected districts, 5731 Post Offices have been opened. Further, 1007 Bank Branches and 937 ATMs have been opened in 30 Most LWE Affected Districts.

For skill development, 46 ITIs and 49 Skill Development Centers (SDCs) have been made functional in LWE affected districts.

For imparting quality education of tribals in LWE affected districts, 178 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) have been made functional in LWE affected districts.

Under Civic Action Programme, Central Armed Police Forces (CRPF, BSF, SSB and ITBP) deployed in LWE affected areas undertake various civic activities for welfare of the local people and to wean away the youth from the influence of the Maoists.

Tribal Youth Exchange Programs (TYEPs) are being organized through Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) for outreaching tribal youth of LWE affected districts.

At present there are 38 districts affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the country.

To address the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) menace holistically, Government approved ‘National Policy and Action Plan to address LWE’ in 2015. The Policy envisages a multi-pronged strategy involving    security    related    measures,   development interventions, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities, etc.

The geographical spread of LWE violence has also constricted substantially with reduction of LWE affected districts from 126 across 10 states in 2013 to only 38 districts in 2024 (with effect from April-2024) across 09 states.  (List of 38 LWE affected districts is at Annexure)h

The number of police stations reporting LWE related violence has significantly reduced from 465 Police Stations in 2010 to 171 Police Stations in the year 2023.