Syllabus: Linkages between development and spread of extremism
Context: In a historic mass surrender, 210 Maoist cadres from the Dandakaranya region laid down arms and joined Chhattisgarh’s rehabilitation programme, marking the largest ever group surrender in anti-Naxal movement history.
Naxalism in India
- Background & Ideology
- Originated from Naxalbari movement of 1967 in West Bengal.
- Also called Left Wing Extremism (LWE); rooted in Maoist principles and socio-economic inequalities.
- Aims to undermine Indian state through armed rebellion and parallel governance.
- Targets security forces, public infrastructure, and democratic institutions.
- Red Corridor (Naxalism-affected states): Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
- Modus Operandi
- Armed violence, extortion, infrastructure destruction, recruitment of children and civilians.
- Data Bank: Decline of Naxalism
- LWE affected districts: 38 in 2024 (down from 126 in 2018).
- 81% reduction in incidents of LWE violence between 2010 and 2024.
- 178 Eklavya Model Residential Schools functional in LWE-affected districts.
Reasons for Decline of Naxalism
- Strengthened Security Architecture
- SAMADHAN doctrine: Comprehensive strategy covering short-term to long-term security operations.
- Deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and India Reserve (IR) battalions.
- Security Related Expenditure Scheme: Reimburses security costs including training, operations, ex-gratia payments.
- Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS): Funds for State Intelligence Branches, Special Forces, District Police, Fortified Police Stations.
- Real-time multi-agency intelligence for precise operations.
- Financial crackdown via Prevention of Money Laundering Act enforcement and fund seizures.
- Development Interventions
- Special Central Assistance (SCA) for most affected districts.
- Financial inclusion: Bank branches, ATMs, post offices, Banking Correspondents.
- Skill Development: ITIs, Skill Development Centres, Eklavya Model Residential Schools.
- Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan for local population welfare.
- Focus on 3-C: Road connectivity, Mobile connectivity, Financial connectivity.
- Community Engagement
- Civic Action Programme (CAP): Humanizes security forces and builds local rapport.
- Media Plan: Counters Maoist propaganda, increases youth aspirations, spreads awareness about development opportunities.
- Central Scheme for Assistance to Civilian Victims (CSACV): Financial assistance to affected civilians.
Persistent Challenges
- Violent Maoist ideology aiming to overthrow democratic state structure.
- Front organizations and external alliances exploit legal systems, recruit cadres, raise funds.
- Difficult terrain in remote tribal regions complicates security operations.
- Trust deficit due to cultural differences reduces local trust in administration.
Way Forward
- Address trust deficit through enhanced local participation in administration.
- Implement tribal-friendly land acquisition and rehabilitation policies (Bandyopadhyay Committee).
- Careful implementation of Forest Rights Act, 2006 to empower communities over Minor Forest Produce.
- Uphold democratic principles as countermeasure to violent ideology.
- Modernize local police forces; use small intelligence-driven units like Greyhounds.
- Strengthen Centre-state coordination with clearly defined roles for comprehensive development.
