The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Ministry of Home Affairs has made significant strides in combating Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in India, as highlighted by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, in a recent statement. The National Policy and Action Plan, established in 2015, addresses the LWE challenge through a comprehensive approach that includes security measures, developmental initiatives, and ensuring the rights of local communities.
While the responsibility for Police and Public Order primarily rests with State Governments, the Government of India (GoI) has been actively supplementing their efforts. On the security front, the Central Government assists LWE-affected states by providing Central Armed Police Forces, training, funds for modernization, equipment, arms, intelligence sharing, and constructing fortified police stations.
From 2018-19 to 2022-23, a significant amount of Rs. 4931 crore has been allocated under various schemes such as the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), Security Related Expenditure (SRE), and Special Central Assistance (SCA) for capacity building in LWE-affected states. Additionally, Rs. 765 crore has been granted to Central Agencies for operating helicopters and developing critical infrastructure in these areas, under the Assistance to Central Agencies for LWE Management (ACALWEM) Scheme.
On the development front, the GoI has launched specific initiatives in LWE-affected states, focusing on expanding road networks, enhancing telecommunication connectivity, skill development, and financial inclusion. Some key achievements include:
– Construction of 13,620 km of roads.
– Sanctioning of 13,823 telecom towers, with over 3,700 already commissioned.
– Opening of 4,903 new Post Offices, 955 bank branches, and 839 ATMs in the most affected districts since April 2015.
– Establishment of 46 ITIs and 49 Skill Development Centres (SDCs) in these districts.
– Functional setup of 130 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for quality education in tribal blocks.
The effective implementation of these policies has led to a significant reduction in LWE-related violence and its geographical spread. Incidents and resultant deaths (civilians and security forces combined) have decreased by 73% and 86%, respectively, since the peak in 2010. The number of police stations reporting LWE-related violence has also reduced dramatically, from 465 in 96 districts in 2010 to 171 across 42 districts in 2023. This decline is further evidenced by the decrease in the number of districts covered under the SRE scheme, from 126 in April 2018 to 70 in July 2021.
These developments represent a major success in the government’s ongoing efforts to counter Left Wing Extremism in India, showcasing the effectiveness of a holistic approach that combines security measures with developmental initiatives.