Union Home Minister asks all forces and agencies to make joint efforts towards achieving the goal of completely eliminating Left Wing Extremism by March 2026.

Key Announcements and Developments

• Target to Eliminate Maoists: Union Home Minister Amit Shah vowed to eradicate Maoists from Chhattisgarh by March 31, 2026. 
  • He highlighted a 73% reduction in deaths of security personnel and a 70% decrease in civilian killings over the past decade.
• Achievements in Chhattisgarh:
  • Neutralized 287 Maoists, arrested 1,000, and facilitated the surrender of 837 Maoists in the last year.
  • Schools and infrastructure destroyed by Maoist violence are being restored.
• Chhattisgarh Police Awarded President’s Colour: Recognized for their courage and service, the state’s police force received this prestigious honor, typically awarded after 25 years of service.

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About Maoism

• Maoism is a form of communism developed by Mao Zedong. 
• It is a doctrine to capture State power through a combination of armed insurgency, mass mobilization and strategic alliances. 

Origin and Evolution

1. Naxalbari Uprising (1967):
   • Named after the Naxalbari village in West Bengal where it originated as a peasant rebellion.
   • Triggered by land disputes between poor farmers and landlords.
   • Led by Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal, inspired by Maoist ideology.
2. Communist Roots:
   • Maoism in India derives from the ideology of Mao Zedong, advocating the overthrow of the state through armed revolution and establishment of a communist state.
   • The movement split from mainstream communist parties like the CPI (M) due to ideological differences.
3. Formation of CPI (Maoist):
   • In 2004, two main Maoist factions, People’s War Group (PWG) and Maoist Communist Centre (MCC), merged to form the Communist Party of India (Maoist), marking a significant escalation in Left Wing Extremism (LWE).

Phases of Maoism in India

• Initial Stage (1967-1980s):
  • Maoist activity was primarily confined to West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar. 
  • However, state repression forced the movement to go underground and adopt guerrilla warfare tactics.
• Expansion Phase (1980s-2000s):
  • Maoist influence spread across the Red Corridor, which includes states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. 
  • The Maoists established parallel governance structures in tribal areas, exploiting socio-economic grievances of the local population.
• Peak of Violence (2000s):
  • By the late 2000s, Maoists posed the “biggest internal security threat”, according to the Indian government.
  • Notable incidents during this period include the Dantewada ambush of 2010, where 76 CRPF personnel were killed.
• Decline Phase (Post-2010):
  • Government initiatives combining security operations and development programs began to show results. 
  • The influence of Maoists significantly reduced, and the areas under their control started contracting.

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Key Features of Maoist Ideology

• Armed Struggle: Maoist ideology follows Mao Zedong’s strategy of “Protracted People’s War”, which emphasizes building a rural base and conducting guerrilla warfare.
• Focus on Marginalized Communities: The Maoists claim to fight for the rights of marginalized communities, particularly tribals and landless farmers, but they also use coercion to recruit and sustain their movement.
• Opposition to Democracy: Maoists reject democratic institutions, viewing them as tools of bourgeois oppression. 
  • They aim to replace the existing system with a communist state based on Maoist principles.

Factors Contributing to Maoism or Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)

• Land Alienation and Displacement: The lack of land reforms and displacement of tribals due to development projects are major triggers for Maoist activity.
  • Large-scale displacement caused by mining projects in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh has fueled resentment among tribals.
  • According to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, over 40% of those displaced by development projects between 1951 and 1990 were tribals, but only 25% received rehabilitation.
• Poverty and Lack of Development: LWE-affected areas often have higher levels of poverty and lower access to basic facilities like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
  • In the tribal belts of Bastar (Chhattisgarh), development indices such as literacy and healthcare lag far behind the national average.
  • Development Challenges in Extremist Affected Areas: Report of an Expert Group to Planning Commission highlights that poverty, deprivation, and lack of access to basic resources are prevalent in these regions, contributing to the support for Naxalite movements.
• Governance Deficit: Weak state presence and inadequate delivery of public services in remote tribal areas create a governance vacuum that Maoists exploit.
  • The absence of schools and healthcare facilities in remote villages of Odisha has made it easier for Maoists to win local support.
  • In some LWE-affected areas, Panchayati Raj positions remain vacant due to lack of security and infrastructure.
  • D. Bandopadhyay Committee, 2006 concluded that Naxalism spread due to governance failures and widespread discrimination against tribal communities in economic, social, political, and cultural life.
• Exploitation by Landlords and Corporations: Tribals and marginalized communities face exploitation by landlords, moneylenders, and corporations, deepening socio-economic inequalities.
  • In Andhra Pradesh, tribals were coerced into giving up their lands to mining corporations, triggering Maoist uprisings in the 1990s.
• Social and Political Marginalization: Tribals and Dalits, who are the primary supporters of LWE, often feel excluded from the political process and are unable to access justice.
  • The failure to implement the Forest Rights Act, 2006, has left many tribals without ownership of their ancestral lands.
  • Only 19.8% of claims under the Forest Rights Act were approved by 2022, according to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• Lack of Connectivity and Infrastructure: Remote areas with poor road and telecom connectivity become isolated from government reach, making them fertile grounds for Maoist activities.

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Government’s Efforts to Counter LWE/Maoism in India

• National Policy and Action Plan (2015): The government adopted a multi-pronged strategy combining security, development, and ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities.
  • Components: Focus on capacity building, strengthening governance, and perception management.
• SAMADHAN Strategy: Introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, SAMADHAN is a comprehensive policy to address LWE. It stands for:
  • S for Smart Leadership, A for Aggressive Strategy, M for Motivation and Training, A for Actionable Intelligence, D for Dashboard-based Key Result Areas and Key Performance Indicators, H for Harnessing Technology, A for Action Plan for Each Theatre and N for No access to Financing.
  • Use of drones and UAVs for actionable intelligence has improved the effectiveness of anti-Maoist operations.
• Rehabilitation and Surrender Policies
  • Comprehensive rehabilitation policies for surrendered Maoists include skill development, education, and financial packages.
  • Chhattisgarh’s policy facilitated the surrender of 837 Maoists in 2023.
  • Rehabilitation schemes under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme cover ex-gratia payments and support for reintegration.
• Empowering Local Governance
  • Focus on strengthening local governance through effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act (2006) and other welfare schemes.
  • Increased engagement with Panchayati Raj institutions to build trust and ensure delivery of public services in affected regions.
• Civic Action Programmes
  • Civic Action Programme (CAP): Conducts welfare activities like medical camps, sports events, and educational drives to bridge the gap between security forces and the local population.
    • CAP funds worth ₹123 crores have been utilized for welfare activities in LWE regions since 2017.
• Awareness and Media Plans
  • Media Plan: Implemented as a sub-scheme of the Umbrella Scheme ‘Modernization of Police Forces’.
    • Countering Maoist propaganda through radio jingles, documentaries, pamphlets, and youth exchange programs.
    • Radio programs in tribal dialects have been effective in countering Maoist narratives in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
• Monitoring and Coordination
  • Regular review meetings involving the Union Home Minister, Chief Ministers of affected states, and top security officials.
  • Frequent visits by Union and State officials to LWE-affected regions have improved coordination and morale of forces.

Challenges to Controlling LWE/Maoism in India

• Geographical and Logistical Challenges: Maoist strongholds are located in remote, hilly, and forested areas, making access difficult for security forces.
  • The dense forests of Dandakaranya (Chhattisgarh) and Saranda (Jharkhand) provide natural cover for Maoist operations.
  • Poor infrastructure, such as inadequate road networks, further hampers counterinsurgency efforts.
• Socio-Economic Grievances: Maoists exploit socio-economic issues such as poverty, land alienation, and lack of basic amenities to gain support among marginalized communities.
  • Tribals displaced by mining projects often receive inadequate compensation, fostering resentment.
  • As per NITI Aayog, Maoist-affected regions rank among the poorest in India, with limited access to healthcare and education.
• Governance Deficit: Weak state presence and lack of effective governance in remote areas create a vacuum filled by Maoist groups.
  • In regions like Bastar, government services are minimal, and Maoists operate parallel governance systems.
  • Panchayati Raj institutions remain underutilized in many Maoist-affected areas due to security concerns and poor capacity-building efforts.
• Inadequate Intelligence and Coordination: Intelligence-sharing between central and state agencies remains inconsistent, leading to operational inefficiencies.
  • The 2013 Darbha Valley ambush, where Maoists killed 27 people, was attributed to poor intelligence coordination.
• Alienation of Tribals: Tribals, who form the backbone of Maoist support, often feel alienated due to the lack of recognition of their rights and cultural identity.
  • Poor implementation of the Forest Rights Act (2006) has left many tribals without legal claims to their ancestral lands.
• Economic Exploitation: Exploitation by landlords, moneylenders, and corporations in tribal areas continues to fuel discontent.
  • In Andhra Pradesh, forcible land acquisitions for mining projects have triggered Maoist resurgence in certain pockets.
• Difficulty in Rehabilitation: Maoist cadres find it challenging to reintegrate into society due to lack of skills, stigma, and distrust of government rehabilitation schemes.
  • Many surrendered Maoists complain about inadequate financial support or job opportunities, undermining the surrender policies.
• External Support and Networking: Maoists maintain ties with other insurgent groups in India and abroad, enhancing their capacity for violence.
  • According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, CPI (Maoist) has established links with North-East insurgent groups like PLA (Manipur) and foreign Maoist organizations in Nepal and the Philippines.
  • Several NGOs have been accused of indirectly supporting Maoist activities by promoting anti-government narratives.
• Balancing Development and Security: Excessive focus on one aspect often undermines the other.
  • Aggressive security operations can alienate local populations, while overemphasis on development without addressing security risks can leave projects vulnerable to Maoist attacks.

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Way Forward to Address LWE/Maoism in India

• Strengthen Governance and Development: Focus on improving governance in remote areas through effective delivery of public services like education, healthcare, and clean drinking water.
  • Implementing the Forest Rights Act (2006) effectively to ensure tribal rights over forest resources.
• Promote Inclusive Development: Enhance socio-economic opportunities in LWE-affected areas through skill development, job creation, and infrastructure projects like roads and telecom connectivity.
  • Expanding the Aspirational Districts Programme to cover more Maoist-affected districts.
• Enhance Security Measures: Use modern technology like drones, UAVs, and advanced surveillance for better intelligence gathering and counterinsurgency operations.
  • Improve coordination between state and central agencies to ensure seamless sharing of intelligence.
• Rehabilitation and Reintegration: Strengthen surrender and rehabilitation policies by providing skill training, job opportunities, and psychosocial support to surrendered cadres.
• Engage Communities: Empower tribal and local leaders to act as peace ambassadors and mediators.
  • Encourage community policing and participation in local governance to rebuild trust between the government and affected populations.
• Counter Propaganda: Address Maoist propaganda through public awareness campaigns, use of regional media, and initiatives like youth exchange programs to connect tribal communities with mainstream society.
• Focus on Education and Youth Engagement: Reopen schools destroyed by Maoists and promote education among tribal youth to provide alternative opportunities and reduce vulnerability to indoctrination.

Conclusion

A holistic approach combining development, governance, and security is essential to tackle Maoism effectively. With sustained efforts, the influence of LWE can be minimized, ensuring peace, stability, and inclusive growth in affected regions.

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