STATUS OF NAXALISM IN THE COUNTRY

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 that were 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 which focused on Whole of Government approach. It envisages a multi-pronged strategy involving security related measures, development interventions, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities etc.

After nearly six decades of violence, the country became free from Left Wing Extremism, which was once considered one of the biggest threats to the Internal security of this country. This has been achieved with resolute implementation of the "National Policy and Action Plan to address Left-Wing Extremism" 2015 and the coordinated efforts of Centre and State governments. At present, no district is categorized as LWE affected. The number of Naxal-affected districts reduced from 126 to 90 in April-2018, 70 in July-2021, 38 in April 2024, 08 in December, 2025 and to "zero" in March/April 2026. Presently, 37 districts are categorized as 'Legacy & Thrust' districts, which are no more LWE affected, but continued support in respect of security and development measures is required for some more time to consolidate the position. One (01) district has been kept under the category of 'District of Concern', where LWE violent activities have been totally contained and their organizational structure has been completely dismantled. Although these districts are now free from LWE, security surveillance and developmental interventions are to be continued for some more time so as to preclude any possibility of their relapse.

On security front, the GoI assists the erstwhile LWE affected States by providing Central Armed Police Forces and raising of India Reserve Battalions, helicopter support, strengthening of security camp infrastructure,

training, funds for modernization of State police forces, equipment & arms, sharing of intelligence, construction of Fortified Police Stations etc.

• For capacity building of states since 2014-15, Rs. 3805.04 crore have been released to LWE affected states on operational expenditure and training needs of Security Forces, rehabilitation of surrendered LWE cadre, ex-gratia to families of martyred security force personnel/civilians killed in LWE violence etc. under Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme.
• • 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. Provision also exists for imparting training in trade/vocation of their liking with monthly stipend of Rs. 10,000/- for three years.
• • The efforts of the States for equipping and modernizing their police forces have been supplemented under the scheme of "Modernization of Police Forces". 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. Under its sub scheme i.e. Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), works of Rs. 1761 crore have been sanctioned to LWE affected states for strengthening of State's Special Forces, Special Intelligence Branches (SIBs), District Police and construction of Fortified Police Stations (FPS). The GoI's focus on security infrastructure has been pivotal. So far 663 fortified police stations have been built.
• • Under Assistance to Central Agencies for LWE Management (ACALWEMS) Scheme, assistance is provided for basic structure of camps and for provisioning of helicopters for counter LWE operations. Rs1303.68 Crores has been provided to Central Agencies through this scheme since 2014-15.
• • There has been a special focus on the financial choking of LWEs and unearthing of the nexus between CPI (Maoists) and its financial

supporters. Coordinated actions by State Police in cooperation with Central agencies by various means have paid great dividends in choking the funds and resources supplied to the Left Wing Extremists in the past.

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

• For expansion of road network, 15,189 km have been constructed under 02 LWE specific schemes namely Road Requirement Plan (RRP) and Road Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas (RCPLWEA). In addition to this, GoI has also approved 127.08 km critical roads and 06 critical bridge to be constructed by Border Road Organisation in the erstwhile LWE affected area of Chhattisgarh state.
• For improving telecom connectivity in erstwhile LWE affected areas, 9,497 towers have been commissioned.
• For Skill Development, 47 Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) and 49 Skill Development Centres (SDC) have been opened.
• For quality education in tribal areas, 179 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) have been made functional.
• For financial inclusion, Department of Posts has opened 6,025 Post Offices with banking services in areas freed from Left-Wing Extremism. Also, 1804 Bank Branches and 1321 ATMs have been opened in these areas.
• Further, following the eradication of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), one-third of the security camps in LWE-free areas are being converted into Jan Suvidha Kendras. These Kendras will provide a range of services, including livelihood promotion, skill development, access to government schemes, digital services, healthcare, and cultural and sports facilities to local communities. The first Jan Suvidha Kendra has been established at Netanar, Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, as the Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera Kendra.
• For further impetus to development, funds are provided for filling critical gaps in public infrastructure in erstwhile LWE affected Districts under Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme. Till now, approximately Rs. 4,289.20 crore have been released since the inception of Scheme in 2017.
• For ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities, 21,26,268 title deeds have been distributed to beneficiaries (20,20,268 individual titles and 1,06,000 community titles). To further strengthen local self-governance in the erstwhile LWE affected areas, the Ministry of Home Affairs is carrying out a joint planning with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. These measures reflect the Government's commitment towards strengthening community rights and enhancing participatory governance in affected areas.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has also conducted a survey in seven erstwhile Left Wing Extremism affected districts of Chhattisgarh to assess the extent of saturation of various government welfare schemes, developmental initiatives and the potential for livelihood generation through an independent agency. The survey has collated details of education levels, health indicators, and the availability of basic services such as primary schools, anganwadi centres, and secondary health facilities etc. This is helping the Union Home Ministry and the State Government in fulfilling the objective of bridging the developmental gaps and ensuring livelihood.

To engage youth and local communities in a constructive manner, the Government of India implements the Tribal Youth Exchange Programme (TYEP), under which tribal youth from erstwhile LWE-affected areas are taken

on week-long exposure visits to different parts of the country. The Programme provides them an opportunity to interact with people from diverse regions and backgrounds, thereby promoting national integration, enhancing awareness of India's rich cultural diversity, and providing exposure to the country's industrial and developmental progress. Since 2014 total 37,655 tribal youths have participated in TYEP.

Further, under the Civic Action Programme, GoI provides funds to CAPFs for undertaking various welfare-oriented activities in their operational areas, including medical camps, sports competitions and distribution of essential items among local communities. Under this Scheme, Rs. 221.88 crore has been released since 2014. This has immensely helped in bridging the gap between the security forces and the local population.

State wise details of the incidents of left-wing extremist violence, civilian deaths and Security Forces martyred during the last five years are at Annexure I. Details of financial assistance released by the GoI to counter LWE under various schemes during the last five years are given at Annexure II. Details of LWE affected districts in the last five years is given at Annexure III.

In the post-LWE scenario, the focus is on saturation of government welfare programmes, strengthening local self-governance, facilitating the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres, preservation of tribal identity and culture and expanding the reach of governance and public services in remote areas.

Overall, GoI is committed for ensuring security and accelerated development of erstwhile LWE affected districts of the country.

ANNEXURE II

Financial assistance released by the GoI under

various schemes

Rs. in crore

ANNEXURE III

Comparative data of LWE Affected Districts for the last five years

ANNEXURE III

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

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RK/RR/PR/PS/SC