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Naxalmukt Bharat: Transforming Red Corridors into Development Zones

Last Updated

11th April, 2025

Date Published

11th April, 2025

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A symbolic and realistic hero image depicting Naxalism in India.
Naxalmukt Bharat Abhiyan
  • Overview: Left Wing Extremism (LWE), or Naxalism, is a major internal security challenge rooted in socio-economic inequalities and Maoist ideology, originating from the 1967 Naxalbari movement in West Bengal.
  • Affected Areas: Spread across the "Red Corridor" in states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, targeting remote, tribal regions.
  • Maoist Tactics: Involves armed rebellion, extortion, infrastructure destruction, child recruitment, and parallel governance to undermine the state.
  • Government Goal: Complete elimination of Naxalism by March 31, 2026, to enable development in education, healthcare, connectivity, banking, and postal services.
  • Decline in Affected Districts: Reduced from 126 in 2015 to 90 (2018), 70 (2021), and 38 (2024).
    • Most Affected Districts (6): Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, Sukma (Chhattisgarh), West Singhbhum (Jharkhand), Gadchiroli (Maharashtra).
    • Districts of Concern (6): Alluri Sitarama Raju (Andhra Pradesh), Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh), Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Malkangiri (Odisha), Bhadradri-Kothagudem (Telangana).
    • Other LWE Districts (6): Dantewada, Gariaband, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki (Chhattisgarh), Latehar (Jharkhand), Nuapada (Odisha), Mulugu (Telangana).
  • Surrenders: Over 8,000 Naxalites abandoned violence in the last decade; in 2024, 881 surrendered, 1,090 arrested, 290 neutralized.
  • Violence Reduction: Incidents dropped 81% from 1,936 (2010) to 374 (2024); deaths reduced 85% from 1,005 (2010) to 150 (2024).
  • State-wise Deaths (2022–2024):
    • Chhattisgarh: 246 (2022), 305 (2023), 267 (2024).
    • Jharkhand: 96 (2022), 129 (2023), 69 (2024).
    • Others: Andhra Pradesh (1–3), Bihar (2–11), Madhya Pradesh (7–16), Maharashtra (10–19), Odisha (6–16), Telangana (3–9), Kerala (0–4), West Bengal (0).
  • National Policy (2015): Multi-pronged strategy focusing on security, development, and community rights.
  • Security Measures:
    • Deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), India Reserve battalions, and Counter Insurgency schools.
    • Modernization of state police, intelligence sharing, and helicopter support.
    • Security-related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme: ₹3,260.37 crore released (2014–2025).
    • 612 fortified police stations built (up from 66 in 2014); 280 new camps since 2019.
    • National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate choked Naxal funding under PMLA.
  • Development Initiatives:
    • Special Central Assistance (SCA): ₹3,563 crore released since 2017 for infrastructure in most affected districts (₹30 crore each) and Districts of Concern (₹10 crore each).
    • Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS): ₹1,741 crore for state intelligence and fortified stations.
    • Road Connectivity: 17,589 km sanctioned under Road Requirement Plan-I and RCPLWE; 14,618 km constructed.
    • Telecom: 10,505 mobile towers planned; 7,768 commissioned, targeting full coverage by December 2025.
    • Financial Inclusion: 1,007 bank branches, 937 ATMs, 5,731 post offices, and 37,850 Banking Correspondents in 30 most affected districts.
    • Education and Skills: 178 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, 48 ITIs, and 61 Skill Development Centres functional.
  • Civic Action:
    • Civic Action Programme (CAP): ₹196.23 crore for community engagement by CAPFs.
    • Media Plan: ₹52.52 crore for counter-propaganda via youth exchanges, radio, and pamphlets.
  • Recent Operations (2024–2025):
    • March 2025: 50 surrenders in Bijapur, 16 neutralized in Sukma, 22 killed in Bijapur/Kanker.
    • 2024 (Chhattisgarh): 237 killed, 812 arrested, 723 surrendered.
  • Achievements:
    • Casualties below 100 in 2022, a 30-year low.
    • Naxal-affected area reduced from 18,000 sq.km to 4,200 sq.km.
    • Incidents down 53% (16,463 in 2004–2014 to 7,744 in 2014–2024).
    • Security force deaths down 73% (1,851 to 509).
    • Areas like Buddha Pahad and Chakarbandha freed from Naxal control.
  • Dharti Aaba Campaign: Launched October 2, 2024, to saturate amenities in 15,000+ LWE villages, benefiting 1.5 crore people.

Glossary:

  • Left Wing Extremism (LWE): Armed rebellion rooted in Maoist ideology targeting socio-economic inequalities.
  • Naxalism: A movement advocating violent overthrow of the state, originating from Naxalbari in 1967.
  • Red Corridor: LWE-affected tribal and remote regions across central and eastern India.
  • Security-related Expenditure (SRE): Central scheme reimbursing LWE-related state security costs.
  • Special Central Assistance (SCA): Funding to bridge infrastructure gaps in LWE-affected districts.