Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) / Naxalism

24.06.2025

Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) / Naxalism

Context

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the government’s aim to make India completely free of Naxalism by March 2026, ensuring peace and development.

About the News

• The Home Minister stated the war against Naxalism is in its final phase.
  This reflects a strategic and time-bound commitment by the central government.
• Over 40,000 lives have been lost due to Naxal violence over 35 years.
  This highlights the human and social cost of the conflict.
• Tribal communities suffered a lack of basic services due to prolonged conflict in affected regions.
  The insurgency delayed development and isolated people.

Efforts and Strategies to Combat Naxalism in India

1. National Policy and Action Plan (2015)
    A comprehensive strategy focusing on security, development, rights of tribal communities, and public outreach in Naxal-affected regions.
    
2. SAMADHAN Doctrine
    A multi-pronged strategy where each letter stands for:
    
   • S – Smart Leadership
   • A – Aggressive Strategy
   • M – Motivation and Training
   • A – Actionable Intelligence
   • D – Dashboard for Monitoring
   • H – Harnessing Technology
   • A – Action Plan
   • N – No Access to Financing
      
3. Operation Green Hunt
    A large-scale, coordinated military offensive launched to flush out Naxals from forest strongholds using paramilitary forces.

1. Deployment of Special Forces
   • Greyhounds: Elite commando force from Andhra Pradesh for jungle warfare.
   • Bastariya Battalion: Tribal youth recruited from Chhattisgarh for area-specific counter-insurgency.
      
2. Special Central Assistance (SCA)
    Financial aid to Naxal-affected districts to build roads, health centers, schools, and promote livelihood projects.
    
3. Implementation of Bandopadhyay Committee Recommendations
    Focus on land rights, forest access, and rehabilitation of displaced tribal populations to prevent alienation.

1. To counter Naxalism, the government uses drones, GPS, and satellite surveillance, modernizes police forces with better training and equipment, promotes welfare schemes like PM Awas and Jal Jeevan, and runs outreach programs to gain the trust of tribal communities.

Challenges

• Mass tribal displacement due to mining projects caused resentment.
   For example, mining in Bastar displaced many without rehabilitation.
• Lack of basic services like roads, water, and schools led to local anger.
   Tribal youth joined rebels as the state remained absent.
• Forest laws like FCA 1980 restricted traditional access without alternatives.
   This pushed tribals into the arms of insurgents.
• Remote terrain made governance and police access difficult.
   Dense forests in areas like Dantewada became Naxal strongholds.

Way Forward

• Focus on development and inclusion, not just military action.
   Schemes like PM Awas Yojana must reach affected regions promptly.
• Strengthen SAMADHAN strategy for coordinated intelligence and action.
   Using drones and real-time data can prevent ambushes.
• Promote tribal-sensitive land policies as suggested by Bandopadhyay Committee.
   This can prevent future unrest during land acquisition drives.
• Expand success models like the Bastariya Battalion in other regions.
   Local youth ensure better terrain knowledge and public trust.

Conclusion

While Naxalism has weakened, its complete end requires continued development, tribal empowerment, and just governance, ensuring security and dignity for the most affected and marginalized communities of India.