The Government of India has achieved a major milestone in combating Left Wing Extremism (LWE), with the number of most-affected districts reduced to three.

Current Status of LWE-Affected Areas

• Most-Affected Districts: Reduced from 6 to 3 (Bijapur, Sukma, Narayanpur), all located in Chhattisgarh.
• Total LWE-Affected Districts: Reduced from 18 to 11 as of 2025.
• Violence incidents dropped by 81% (2010–2024).
• National Target: Complete elimination of Left Wing Extremism by March 31, 2026.
• Comparison: In 2013, India had 126 districts affected by Naxal violence across multiple states.

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Government Strategies to Counter Naxalism

Integrated Counter-LWE Strategy: The success stems from the National Policy and Action Plan on LWE (2015), which adopts a multi-pronged approach:

• Security-Led Measures: 
  • Zero Tolerance Policy: Establishment of law and order and elimination of illegal armed groups.
  • Intelligence-driven, people-centric operations focusing on top Maoist leadership and strongholds.
  • Deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs): CRPF, COBRA, and BSF battalions in core areas.
• Developmental Push: Expedited infrastructure creation, electrification, and saturation of welfare schemes in vulnerable areas.
  • Road Connectivity Project for LWE Areas (RRP–LWE): Launched in 2016 to build roads in 44 LWE-affected districts.
• Ideological Counteraction: Strengthening community engagement, promoting democratic participation, and neutralizing Maoist propaganda.
• Financial Disruption: Targeting funding networks and choking financial flows to insurgents.
• Centre–State Coordination: Regular review mechanisms and synchronized operations across state borders.
  • Establishment of Special Forces Units (e.g. Greyhounds, C-60, STF) by states.
  • Regular Chief Ministers’ Conferences on LWE chaired by the Home Minister.
  • Centre–State Joint Task Forces for coordinated action.
• Judicial Support: Speedier investigation and prosecution in Maoist-related cases.
• Rehabilitation and Surrender Policies: Financial assistance, housing, vocational training, and job opportunities for surrendered Naxal cadres.
  • For Example, Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy (2014).

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