Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that a change in government in Chhattisgarh had provided momentum to the war against Naxalism, even as he reiterated that the insurgency would be completely eradicated by 2026.
Naxalism History:
- Definition: Naxalism involves violent activities by landless laborers and tribal groups, often led by left-wing extremists, targeting landlords and others.
- Origin: Emerged in the late 1960s from the Naxalbari uprising in West Bengal.
- Security Threat: Recognized as a major internal security challenge in India.
- Geographical Spread: Active in hilly and forested regions across 8 states, directly influencing over 150 districts.
Key Reasons Behind Naxalism:
- Tribal Discontent: Laws like the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, restrict tribal access to forest resources, essential for their livelihood. Large-scale displacement due to development projects exacerbates their grievances.
- Exploitation of Vulnerability: Maoists recruit economically marginalized individuals, offering money and arms.
- Socio-Economic Gaps: The government focuses on reducing violent incidents rather than addressing developmental deficits in affected areas.
- Weak Intelligence: Poor technical infrastructure and inadequate communication networks hinder counter-naxal operations.
- Administrative Failures: Post-police action, authorities often fail to deliver essential services, leaving affected regions neglected.
- Policy Confusion: Lack of clarity on whether Naxalism is a social or security issue leads to inadequate state-level initiatives.
Government’s Counter-Naxal Strategy:
- Operation Green Hunt (2010): Deployed security forces significantly, reducing affected districts from 223 in 2010 to 90 in 9 years.
- Aspirational Districts Programme: Focuses on holistic development, improving security, governance, and public perception.
- Operation SAMADHAN: A strategic initiative targeting leadership, intelligence, technology, and financing of Maoist groups.
- Technological Interventions: Includes weapon trackers, biometric smart guns, UAV deployment, and unique IDs for explosives.
- Joint Task Forces: Enhances inter-state coordination and intelligence sharing.
- Support to States: Assists in infrastructure development, police training, and community policing.
- National Policy and Action Plan: Aims to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism within a specific timeframe.
