Paper: GS – III, Subject: Internal Security, Topic: Left-Wing Extremism, Issue: India Strategy on Naxalism.
Context:
Since 2014, the Indian government has reduced Naxal violence through a multi-faceted strategy, improving Union-state coordination and addressing security and socio-economic causes, aiming to end Naxalism by 2026.
Key Highlights:
The Centre’s Redefined Strategy: The Indian government, under the leadership of Home Minister Amit Shah, has reiterated its commitment to eliminate Naxalism by March 2026.
- This commitment is backed by a comprehensive strategy that has shown significant results in recent years.
Decline in Naxal Activity and Violence:
Between 2014 and 2024, there has been a notable decline in Naxal activity, as evidenced by:
- A 53% decrease in Naxal activity.
- A reduction in Naxal-affected districts from 128 to 18.
- A 73% drop in security personnel deaths.
- A 70% reduction in civilian casualties.
These figures demonstrate the effectiveness of the government’s approach in curbing Naxal violence and restoring peace in affected regions.
The Centre’s Comprehensive Strategy:
The Home Ministry outlined a four-pronged strategy to combat Naxalism:
- Strengthening Law and Order Infrastructure: This involves equipping police forces and the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) with modern weapons, investing in their training, integration, and capacity-building.
- Establishing Forward Operating Bases (FOBs): These camps, operated jointly by the CAPF and state police, enhance security presence and operational effectiveness in Naxal-affected areas. As of March, around 302 of these camps had been established.
- Restricting Naxal Funding: The government has taken steps to cut off the financial resources that sustain Naxal activities.
- Focusing on Development: This involves addressing the root causes of Naxalism by reducing discontent among people through development initiatives and good governance schemes.
Mass Surrenders and Peace in Red Corridors:
The Union government has made considerable strides in eliminating Naxalism through a comprehensive strategy characterized by enhanced dialogue, security and coordination. Its success is reflected in the mass surrender of Naxals over the past decade.
- Between 2009 and 2014, government data shows that 2,132 Naxals surrendered.
- In 2023 and 2024 alone, there were 1,045 and 928 surrenders, respectively.
These mass surrenders, coupled with the Union government’s comprehensive strategy to combat Naxalism, suggest that this insurgency is finally dying out in India.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
