Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still affects many parts of the country.…

Question

Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India's approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE.

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

The Government of India counters LWE through the 2015 National Policy and Action Plan, pairing SAMADHAN-led joint security operations with roads, mobile towers, targeted funds and enforcement of PESA and the Forest Rights Act. MHA data show violent incidents fell 52% and deaths 62% in 2024 against 2013.

**Introduction**

LWE has declined since its 2010 peak, with the MHA Annual Report 2024-25 recording 52% fewer incidents and 62% fewer deaths in 2024 than in 2013, yet Chhattisgarh still saw 72% of incidents that year. The Union counters it through the National Policy and Action Plan of 2015, which backs the States on security, development and rights.

**Security Pillar: Reclaiming Territory**

1. **SAMADHAN doctrine**: Since 2017 it has stressed smart leadership, actionable intelligence, dashboard-based KPIs, technology, theatre-wise plans and no access to financing.
2. **Joint operations**: CAPFs fight alongside State forces modelled on the Greyhounds and C-60, as in the Karreguttalu Hill operation of 2025 on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border.
3. **Capacity funding**: The Security Related Expenditure scheme and the Special Infrastructure Scheme pay for operations, rehabilitation of surrendered cadres and fortified police stations.

**Development and Rights Pillar: Winning the People**

SKETCH: concentric | Layered Response to LWE
- Tribal public: development
- Sympathisers: rehabilitation
- Armed cadre: force

1. **Roads and towers**: The Road Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas of 2016 and mobile towers end the isolation in which cadres ran parallel rule.
2. **Gap funding**: Special Central Assistance and the Aspirational Districts Programme of 2018 target the most affected districts.
3. **Rights on the ground**: PESA 1996 and the Forest Rights Act 2006 give gram sabhas control over land and forest produce, removing a core Maoist grievance.
4. **Hearts and minds**: Civic Action Programmes, the surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy and CRPF's Bastariya Battalion of local tribal youth turn sympathisers into stakeholders.

**Conclusion**

By clearing the armed core while holding the people through development and rights, the approach has shrunk the Red Corridor. Keeping that development presence beyond the March 2026 deadline will turn an arc of violence into an arc of peace.

Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India's approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE.

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