National Policy and Action Plan for the development of LWE Affected Areas

• To address the LWE menace holistically, a National Policy and Action Plan was launched in 2015 to address Left Wing Extremism (LWE).
• It envisages a multi-pronged strategy involving security related measures, development interventions, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities etc.

Left Wing Extremism (LWE)

Left-wing extremism, often known as Naxalism or Maoism, is a type of armed rebellion against the state that is inspired by leftist ideas.

Maoists are a global term for left-wing fanatics, whereas Naxalites are a term used in India. In several sections of the country, there are several left-wing extremist organizations.

• They oppose parliamentary democracy and want to overthrow the government through military revolution.
• They are motivated by excessive violence and, in many cases, harm innocent individuals.

Government Initiatives

Special thrust on expansion of road network

• 10,600 km roads have already been constructed with an expenditure of approximately Rs. 13,000 crore under Road Requirement Plan-I (RRP-1) & Road Connectivity Project for LWE affected areas (RCPLWEA)

Improving telecom connectivity

• 2,343 mobile towers were installed under Phase-l.
• Work order has been issued for 2,542 towers under phase-II of Mobile Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas.
• Another 4,312 mobile towers have been approved in LWE affected areas under the scheme for uncovered Aspirational Districts.

Financial inclusion of local population

• For financial inclusion of the populace in LWE Affected areas, 4,442 new Post Offices have been opened in the last 07 years.
• 1,253 Bank Branches, 1,264 ATMs and 16,808 Banking Correspondents have also been established in the 30 most LWE Affected Districts in the last 07 years.
• To fill critical gaps in Public Infrastructure & Services in Most LWE Affected Districts, funds are provided to the Most LWE Affected Districts under the Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme.
• Rs. 3,085 crore has been released to the States under the scheme during the last 05 years.

Skill development and education facilities

• Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in 47 districts and Skill Development Centers (SDCs) in 34 Districts have been approved.
• Estimated cost of this initiative is Rs. 407 crore under "Skill Development Scheme in 47 Districts affected by LWE".
• 234 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) approved for LWE affected areas.
• 99 EMRS have been approved in the last 02 years.
• Kendriya Vidyalaya (KVs) and Navodaya Vidyalas (JNVs) have been approved and made functional in all the most LWE affected districts.

Security Measures

• The Central Government provides CAPF battalions, training, funds for modernization of State police forces, equipment & arms, sharing of intelligence, construction of Fortified Police Stations etc.
• Also provides funds for capacity building of the LWE affected States, under various schemes like:
  • Security Related Expenditure (SRE)
  • Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS).
• Rs. 1,623 crore has been released to the LWE affected States under the SRE scheme during the last 05 years.
• Under the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), projects worth Rs. 371 crore for strengthening Special Forces (SF) and Special Intelligence Branches (SIB).
• For 250 Fortified Police Stations (FPS) worth Rs. 620 crore in vulnerable LWE affected areas have been approved since 2017.
• In SIS/FPS scheme: the Central Government released more than Rs.1,180 crore for construction of 400 FPS and upgradation of police infrastructure in the States.

Conclusion

Steadfast implementation of the National Policy and Action Plan to Address LWE has resulted in a consistent decline of LWE violence and its geographical spread.

Incidents of LWE violence have reduced by 77 percent from an all-time high of 2,258 in 2009 to 509 in 2021. The number of Districts reporting LWE violence has also reduced by 48% from 96 in 2010 to 46 in 2021.

Exam Track

Prelims Takeaway

Left Wing Extremism (LWE) National Policy and Action Plan

Mains Takeaway

Q. Analyze the effectiveness of the government initiatives to control violent activities in LWE areas.