Background
- Rooted in the Naxalbari uprising (1967, West Bengal) led by Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal, inspired by Maoist ideology.
- The movement claims to represent landless labourers, tribals, and marginalised peasants, aiming to overthrow the Indian state through armed struggle.
- Often referred to as the “Naxal Movement” or Maoist insurgency.
Spread of LWE
- Majorly concentrated in the “Red Corridor”: parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and West Bengal.
- At its peak (around 2010), 223 districts in 20 states were affected.
- As of 2023, only about 45 districts in 8 states are significantly affected (as per MHA data).
Causes of LWE
- Socio-Economic Factors
- Land alienation, poverty, lack of basic services.
- Displacement due to mining, dams, and industrial projects.
- Governance Deficit
- Weak presence of administration in remote tribal areas.
- Exploitation and corruption in land, forest, and revenue administration.
- Tribal Rights Issues
- Denial of rights under FRA (Forest Rights Act, 2006) and PESA Act, 1996.
- Lack of recognition of traditional rights.
- Ineffective Development
- Infrastructure gaps, unemployment, poor health and education indicators.
- Ideological Indoctrination
- Maoist ideology of armed revolution and parallel governance structures.
Government Response
Security Measures
- Operation Green Hunt (2009) – coordinated offensive against Maoists.
- Deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Greyhounds (AP/Telangana), CoBRA units.
- Improved intelligence, technology (drones, satellite mapping).
- Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme – financial assistance to states.
Development Measures
- Integrated Action Plan (IAP) / Aspirational Districts Programme – targeted development in affected districts.
- Road Requirement Plan (RRP) – improve connectivity.
- Special schemes for education, skill training, health.
Legal & Administrative
- Ban on CPI (Maoist) under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
- Rehabilitation and surrender policies for extremists.
- SAMADHAN doctrine (Smart leadership, Aggressive strategy, Motivation & training, Actionable intelligence, Dashboard-based KPIs, Harnessing technology, Action plan, No access to financing).
Achievements So Far
- Sharp decline in violence: fatalities reduced from 1,005 (2010) to less than 200 (2023).
- Shrinkage of Maoist geographical influence.
- Major leaders eliminated or surrendered.
Challenges Remaining
- Maoists adapt with guerrilla warfare and continue recruitment.
- Remote terrain and difficult geography hinder development and policing.
- Some tribal areas still face alienation due to displacement, mining, and lack of effective governance.