Naxalism: Striking at the Root
Asia News Agency
Amit Shah has set a target of eliminating Naxalism before March 31, 2026. There have thus been consistent anti-Naxal operations that have breached red corridors. The all-out offensive over the last few months has smashed Maoist leadership, the latest killing of CPI (Maoist) general secretary Basavaraj a turning point after the fall of Koragutta hills.
New strategy: fight no longer about containment but about restoring peace
Centre’s message is clear, according to Sanjay Kumar Jha (former DGP, Madhya Pradesh): “the fight against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) was no longer about containment but about reclaiming lost ground and restoring peace to regions once under siege. Over the years, as the geographical spread of LWE violence has narrowed, people-centric development policies in previously affected regions are reclaiming peace. Lives are safer. By prioritising infra, education, and healthcare, Modi’s policies have addressed insurgency’s root causes. More than 120 a decade ago, LWE affected districts are now just 38…..Fatalities caused by LWE have dropped by nearly 90%…..Deaths of civilians and security personnel have fallen by 70%.”
Development: Long-standing issues of alienation and underdevelopment, writes Jha are being addressed – over 14.5km of roads now connect isolated areas to economic and social opportunities. Mobile connectivity has improved with thousands of new towers commissioned and upgraded to 4G. Banking services have reached underserved populations through new post offices, bank branches, and ATMs. Housing schemes are helping displaced families rebuild lives. States have over 3.5k cr funds to bridge infra gaps and improve public services.
Over the last 10 years, of 216 schools approved, 178 are in LWE-affected districts. In order to boost employability and make youth financially independent, skill development centres have been set up.
In addition, the Centre has modernised central and state police forces. The security budget has been increased to 3k cr – a threefold jump since 2014.
In short, concludes Jha, “proactive operations and targeted deployments have dismantled Maoist networks, neutralised key leaders, and triggered large-scale surrenders…”
