IMPACTS OF LEFT WING EXTREMISM

IMPACTS OF LEFT WING EXTREMISM

As per Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, subjects of Police and Public Order are with the State Governments. However, the Government of India (GoI) has been supplementing the efforts of States affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE). To address the LWE menace holistically, a "National Policy and Action Plan to address LWE" was approved in 2015. It envisages a multi-pronged strategy involving security related measures, development interventions, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities etc. The resolute implementation of the National Policy and Action Plan 2015 has resulted in consistent decline in violence and constriction of geographical spread. LWE which has been a serious challenge to the internal security of the nation has been significantly curbed in the recent times and has been constricted to only a few pockets. The LWE perpetrated violence incidents have come down from high of 1936 in year 2010 by 89% to 222 in 2025. Resultant deaths of Civilians & Security Forces have also come down from high of 1005 in year 2010 by 91% to 95 in year 2025. The number of LWE- affected districts reduced from 126 to 90 in April-2018, 70 in July-2021, 38 in April-2024, 18 in April-2025 and only 11 in October-2025 with only 3 districts now categorized as Most LWE Affected. The government's focus on development in tribal and remote areas has addressed the root cause of Naxalism. Improved law and order and security situation, accompanied by investment in infrastructure has created an enabling environment for enhanced economic development including increase in public/private investment.

On security front, GoI provides Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) battalions, helicopter support, strengthening of camp infrastructure, training, funds for modernization of State police forces, equipment & arms, sharing of intelligence, construction of Fortified Police Stations and sanctioning of India Reserve Battalions etc.

• • For capacity building of states a total of approx. Rs. 1,643 crore have been released from FY 2020-21 to 2024-25 to LWE affected states on operational expenditure and training needs of Security Forces, rehabilitation of surrendered LWE cadre, ex-gratia to families of civilians killed in LWE violence/martyred security force personnel etc. under Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme. Works of Rs. 1757 crore have been sanctioned to LWE affected states for strengthening of State's Special Forces, State Intelligence Branches (SIBs), District Police and construction of Fortified Police Stations (FPS) under Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS).
• • To encourage LWEs to join the mainstream, GoI and State Governments have formulated comprehensive surrender-cum-rehabilitation policies. The GoI also supports the States in the endeavor through 'Surrender- cum-Rehabilitation' Policy as part of Security Related Expenditure (SRE)

Scheme. The GoI reimburses the expenditure incurred by the LWE affected States on rehabilitation of surrenderees under the SRE Scheme. The rehabilitation package inter-alia, includes an immediate grant of Rs. 5 lakhs for higher ranked LWE cadres and Rs 2.5 lakhs for other LWE cadres. In addition, incentives for surrender of weapons/ammunition are also provided under the Scheme. In addition, provision also exists for imparting training in trade/vocation of their liking with monthly stipend of Rs. 10,000/- for three years. The affected States have further revised their Surrender cum Rehabilitation policies to make them lucrative and contemporary.

• The efforts of the States for equipping and modernizing their police forces have been supplemented under the scheme of "Assistance to States & UTs for Modernization of Police". Under the scheme, central assistance is provided to the State Governments for weapons, equipment for Information Technology, Communication, Training, construction of Police stations, mobility and construction of police housing and other police infrastructure etc.

• • There has been a special focus on the financial choking of LWEs and unearthing of the nexus between CPI (Maoists) and its financial supporters. For effective action towards choking of funds and other resources to LWE, coordinated actions are being taken by State Police in cooperation with Central agencies by various means.
• • The GoI's focus on security infrastructure has been pivotal. In the last decade 656 fortified police stations have been built. Besides, 377 new security camps have been established in core LWE affected areas in last six years.

On development front, apart from the flagship schemes of Government of India (GoI), several LWE affected areas specific initiatives have been taken with special thrust on expansion of road network, improving telecommunication connectivity, education, skill development and financial inclusion. A few of these programmes since FY 2020-21 are enumerated below:

• For expansion of road network, 8301 km have been constructed under 02 LWE specific schemes namely Road Requirement Plan (RRP) and Road Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas (RCPLWEA).