Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in India has witnessed a notable decline in recent years, yet its lingering impact continues to pose challenges across various regions of the country. The Government of India has adopted a multifaceted approach to counter the persisting threats posed by LWE. Firstly, there has been an emphasis on addressing the socio-economic disparities that often fuel extremism. Development initiatives, including infrastructure projects and welfare programs, have been rolled out to uplift marginalized communities and create a conducive environment for their integration into the mainstream. Simultaneously, the government has pursued a robust security strategy, deploying paramilitary forces and enhancing intelligence operations to neutralize insurgent groups. Additionally, efforts have been made to engage in dialogue with disgruntled factions, aiming to bring them into the democratic fold. The government’s approach reflects a comprehensive strategy that combines developmental, security, and diplomatic measures to mitigate the impact of Left Wing Extremism on the nation.
Tag: Linkages between development and spread of extremism. Role of external state and non-state actors, in creating challenges to internal security. Various security forces and agencies and their mandate.
Decoding the Question:
- In the intro, start with writing about LWE – describe it and add about the present scenario.
- In Body,
- Discuss downward trend of LWE with use of data. But justify how it still affects many parts of India.
- Discuss in detail the government approach to counter LWE and explain its various dimensions like armed forces and developmental aspects.
- Conclude with suggestions to eliminate LWE.
Answer:
Left Wing Extremism or Naxal Movement has been the source of extreme violence in some parts of the country. These extremists are internally waging wars against the state. It is considered to be the most important security concern. These extremist movements have disconnected several tribal villages from the national mainstream. They want the abolition of the state to establish the rule of people. These extremists attack the symbols of the country’s power such as the police, schools and other government institutions.
Declining Scenario of LWE: There is a consistent decline in LWE related activities and geographical spread of LWE influence in the country.
- The number of incidents of violence and resultant deaths have decreased by 15.8% and 16.6% respectively in the last three years (2016-19) compared with the preceding three years (2013-15).
- The shrinkage in geographical spread is evident from reduction in violence affected districts to only 60 in 2018. Also, in 2018, 2/3rd of violent incidents were reported in 10 districts only.
- In 2019, 117 deaths have been reported in LWE related incidents. The number of deaths reported in the corresponding period of 2018 was 139.
Danger of LWE in India:
- They threaten the locals before the conduct of elections and prevent them from voting. Violating the principle of participative democracy.
- They resort to violence through their guerrilla tactics and attempt to setup their own government in the local villages.
- They destroy the roads, transport system and government resources, thereby creating hindrance in governance and last mile connectivity. The poor are deprived further.
- Urban Naxals, who sometimes operate under the cloak of NGOs or social-work units, raise questions about the use of force by government machinery. This helps them build a strong bastion of sympathizers and volunteers in towns and cities and across social media.
- They resort to extortion, abduction of important personalities like Politicians, bureaucrats, police etc and put up their demand.
- They hire vulnerable people who have low literacy levels, unemployed or low income, particularly the tribals, who aren’t aware of the consequences of joining such forces, building up their cadre.
- They also have nexus with politicians, they find this as a medium to put up their demands through voices of Politicians.
- They attack the police, government and collect weapons, technological devices to fight against them on the technological front.
- LWE is still considered a big threat due to its spread to wide areas of the country. It spread from Bihar to Andhra Pradesh Including Maharashtra etc. which is called the red corridor of the country.
Government Approach: To address the LWE problem in an effective manner, the Government has formulated a National Policy and Action Plan adopting a multi-pronged strategy in the areas of security, development, ensuring rights & entitlement of local communities etc.
- SAMADHAN doctrine: It was introduced as a one stop solution for LWE affected areas; it includes both short- and long-term government policies to deal with LWE.
- S: Smart leadership.
- A: Aggressive strategy.
- M: Motivation and training.
- A: Actionable Intelligence,
- D: Dashboard Based KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and KRAs (Key Result Areas),
- H: Harnessing Technology,
- A: Action plan for each Theatre,
- N: No access to Financing.
- In 2015, National Strategy to counter LWE was formed with a multipronged approach to combat it.
- Aspirational District: The Ministry of Home Affairs has been tasked with the monitoring of Aspirational districts programme in 35 LWE affected districts.
- Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme: This a sub scheme of the Umbrella Scheme Modernization of Police Forces. Under it, the Central Government reimburses to 11 LWE affected States the Security Related Expenditure relating to training and operational needs of security forces, ex-gratia payment, compensation to Left Wing Extremist cadres who surrendered, community policing, Security related infrastructure for village defence committees and publicity materials.
- Special Central Assistance (SCA) for 30 most LWE affected districts: This is a sub-scheme of the Umbrella Scheme, ‘Modernization of Police Forces’. The main objective of the Scheme is to fill the critical gaps in Public infrastructure and Services, which are of emergent nature.
- Construction of Fortified Police Stations: The Home Ministry had sanctioned construction of 400 Fortified Police Stations in 10 LWE affected States.
- Road Requirement Plan: This Scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for improving road connectivity in 34 LWE affected districts of 8 States. RRP II has also been launched.
- LWE Mobile Tower Project: To improve mobile connectivity in the LWE areas, the Government approved installation of mobile towers in LWE affected States and 2335 mobile towers have been installed in Phase-I.
- Skill development: Government is now focussing on tribal youths to engage them in gainful employment and bringing them in the mainstream of developmental activities.
- Improving education penetration: Building up the number of schools, Kendriya Vidhayalay’s Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya etc in deep pockets of forest.
- Financial Inclusion: Government is looking forward to penetrating various financial services in these LWE affected areas. Financial integration of these areas will surely help in bringing major relief for tribals and it also makes the government easy to DBT of various schemes and programmes.
Conclusion
As per reports, the total area affected by Naxalism has shrunk to 90 districts of the country from 165 districts and at least 122 Maoists have been killed across the country in the first six months of 2018 which is highest in the past eight years. So, it is true to say that the trajectory of LWE has been showing a downward trend. If we want to eliminate the LWE threat, we need a higher level of political commitment and constant evaluation and monitoring of outcomes of various social sector schemes and equipping modern gadgets and vehicles for security forces.
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