Naxalism

Syllabus: GS3/Internal Security

Context

• Recently, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating Naxalism in Chhattisgarh by March 31, 2026.

Naxalism in India

• Naxalism (aka Left Wing Extremism) has been a significant internal security challenge for India. 
• Originating from the Naxalbari uprising in West Bengal in 1967, it has evolved into a complex insurgency affecting several states across India.
• Naxals strongly believe that the solution to social and economic discrimination is to overthrow the existing political system. 
  • They are a group of people who believe in the political theory derived from the teachings of the Chinese political leader Mao Zedong.
• Naxal affected areas in India are known as the ‘Red Corridor’.

Historical Background

• The Naxalite movement began as a peasant uprising led by Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal, advocating for land reforms and the rights of the marginalized. 
• Over the decades, the movement spread to other states, including Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala.
• The Naxalites, primarily composed of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), have used guerrilla warfare tactics to challenge state authority.

Current Scenario

• The number of districts affected by Naxalism has reduced from 126 in 2013 to 38 in 2024.
• 53% reduction in incidents and a 70% decrease in casualties among security personnel and civilians between 2014 and 2024.
• The government aims to completely eradicate Naxalism by March 2026.

Reasons For Spread

• Socio-Economic Inequality: Many regions affected by Naxalism are characterized by extreme poverty, lack of basic amenities, and limited access to education and healthcare.
  • The marginalized communities, including SCs and STs, often feel neglected and deprived of their rights and resources.
• Land Reforms and Agrarian Distress: Large tracts of land remain concentrated in the hands of a few, while the majority of the rural population struggles with landlessness and insecure tenancy.
  • This agrarian distress fuels discontent and provides fertile ground for Naxalite recruitment.
• Political Marginalization: Many tribal and backward regions have historically been excluded from mainstream political processes.
  • The lack of representation and voice in decision-making bodies has led to a sense of alienation and frustration among these communities.
• Exploitation and Human Rights Violations: Reports of police brutality, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings have fueled anger and resentment among the affected populations.
  • Such actions often drive people towards Naxalism as a form of resistance against state oppression.
• Lack of Development: Poor infrastructure, inadequate public services, and limited economic opportunities contribute to the sense of neglect and abandonment felt by the local population.
  • Developmental initiatives often fail to reach these remote areas, leaving the residents with few alternatives but to support or join the Naxalite movement.

Bandyopadhyay Committee (2006)

• It highlighted the lack of governance, economic, socio-political and cultural discrimination against the tribals as the chief reason for the spread of Naxalism.
• The Committee recommended tribal-friendly land acquisition and rehabilitation as a means to counter this issue.

Government’s Strategy

• Rehabilitation Policies through Encouraging Surrenders & Reintegrate Into Society. 
• Strengthening and Collaborating Various Security Forces: Enhanced coordination between central and state forces has led to significant successes.
  • Ensuring effective deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and specialized units like Greyhounds.
  • In Chhattisgarh alone, 287 Naxalites were neutralized, around 1,000 were arrested, and 837 surrendered in the past year.
• Intelligence Strengthening through enhancing real-time intelligence sharing through Multi-Agency Centers (MACs) and UAV surveillance.
• Development Initiatives like the Road Connectivity Project, Aspirational Districts Program, and Bastar Olympics to improve infrastructure.
• Skill Development through various central schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and state schemes and programmes.

Key Initiatives

• SAMADHAN Strategy: A comprehensive approach involving Smart Leadership, Aggressive Strategy, Motivation and Training, Actionable Intelligence, Dashboard-Based KPIs and KRAs, Harnessing Technology, Action Plans for each Theatre, and No Access to Financing.
• Three-Pronged Strategy: Welcoming those willing to renounce violence, intensifying efforts to apprehend those who refuse, and taking strict action against individuals intent on harming others.
• National Policy and Action Plan (2015): It envisages a multi-pronged strategy involving security related measures, development interventions, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities etc
• Tribal Youth Exchange Programs (TYEPs) are being organized through Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) for enhancing our outreach to the tribal youth of LWE affected districts.
• Capacity building of States to combat LWE through schemes of the Ministry of Home Affairs like Security Related Expenditure (SRE), Special Infrastructure, and Special Central Assistance etc.

Source: PIB