The North News
New Delhi, December 18
Violence linked to left-wing extremism (LWE) in India has fallen sharply over the past decade, with the government reporting a steep drop in incidents, fatalities and the number of affected districts, following a sustained security and development strategy.
While policing and public order remain the responsibility of state governments under the Constitution, the central government has continued to supplement efforts in LWE-affected regions. A National Policy and Action Plan adopted in 2015 set out a multi-pronged approach combining security operations, development initiatives and measures to safeguard the rights and livelihoods of local communities.
Officials say the strategy has led to a consistent decline in violence and a significant contraction of areas affected by Maoist insurgency. LWE-related incidents have fallen by 89% from a peak of 1,936 cases in 2010 to 222 in 2025. Civilian and security force deaths have dropped by 91% over the same period, from 1,005 to 95. The information was shared by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
The geographical spread of the insurgency has also narrowed. The number of LWE-affected districts has reduced from 126 to just 11 as of October 2025, with only three districts now classified as the most severely affected, according to government data.
On the security front, the central government has provided states with Central Armed Police Force battalions, helicopter support, intelligence sharing, training and funds for modernising police forces. Over the past decade, 656 fortified police stations have been built, and 377 new security camps established in core LWE-affected areas.
Financial support has also been extended under the Security Related Expenditure scheme. Between 2020–21 and 2024–25, around ₹1,643 crore was released to LWE-affected states for operational costs, training, rehabilitation of surrendered cadres and compensation for victims’ families. Additional infrastructure projects worth ₹1,757 crore were sanctioned to strengthen state special forces, intelligence units and district policing.
The government has also focused on encouraging militants to return to civilian life through surrender and rehabilitation policies. These include cash assistance of up to ₹5 lakh for senior cadres, vocational training with a monthly stipend, and incentives for surrendering weapons. States have been urged to regularly update these policies to make them more effective.
Parallel efforts have targeted the financial networks of banned Maoist groups, with coordinated action by state police and central agencies aimed at cutting off funding and logistical support.
Development initiatives have played a central role in addressing what officials describe as the root causes of insurgency. Since 2020, more than 8,300 km of roads have been built in LWE-affected regions, 6,775 telecom towers commissioned, and dozens of skill development centres and industrial training institutes made operational.
Education and financial inclusion have also expanded. Nearly 100 Eklavya Model Residential Schools are now functional in tribal areas, while thousands of post offices with banking services, along with new bank branches and ATMs, have been opened in remote districts.
The government says it remains committed to the complete eradication of left-wing extremism and to ensuring sustained development in regions emerging from decades of conflict.
