Left-Wing Extremism: Origin, Status & Challenges Associated

• Once labelled India’s “single biggest internal security challenge”, the Maoist movement is now at its weakest, facing relentless security operations, mass surrenders, and strategic arrests. The government has significantly shrunk Maoist strongholds—from Abujhmad to Gadchiroli—with an ambitious March 2026 deadline to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE).
• Reflecting this intensified push, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirmed the government’s resolve following a major operation on February 9, 2025, in which security forces eliminated 31 Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, delivering another decisive blow to the insurgency.

Credit: Aljazeera

About Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in India

• Definition: Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), commonly known as Maoism or Naxalism, refers to an armed insurgency aimed at overthrowing the democratic state through violent revolution.
• Origin & Spread: Originated in Naxalbari, West Bengal (1967), now spans 9 states, forming the “Red Corridor“.
• Evolution of CPI (Maoist): In 2004, the People’s War Group (PWG), Maoist Communist Centre of India (MCCI), and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) merged to form the Communist Party of India (Maoist), the primary LWE outfit behind most insurgent activities.
• Objectives & Strategy: Aims to overthrow democracy through armed revolution, exploiting tribal grievances, socio-economic issues, and governance gaps.
• Urban-Rural Nexus: Urban areas provide funds & leadership, while rural strongholds serve as recruitment and operational bases.

Challenges Ahead in the Fight Against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)

• Persistent Tribal Sympathy & Support: Maoists continue to exploit tribal grievances, land displacement issues, & governance gaps, maintaining pockets of influence, especially in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region.
• Strongholds & Pockets of Resistance: While Maoist influence has weakened nationally, districts like Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) still witness active militia presence and periodic attacks on security forces.
• Potential for Resurgence: Maoist ideology thrives in socio-economically deprived areas, and any lapse in governance, economic development, or law enforcement could lead to a revival of insurgency.
• Urban Maoist Networks & Underground Operations: Maoists leverage urban networks for funding, recruitment, and ideological propagation, and despite crackdowns, covert sympathiser networks still pose a challenge.
• Ambitious 2026 Deadline: The government aims to eliminate Maoism by March 2026, but complete success depends on sustained security operations, governance outreach, robust rehabilitation policies, and dismantling urban Maoist networks.

Holistic Strategy for Eliminating Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)

• India’s success in countering Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) has been driven by a holistic strategy integrating security measures, infrastructure development, and surrender & rehabilitation policies.

Strengthening Security & Counter-Insurgency Operations

• Expansion of Security Infrastructure: Over 280 new security camps established in Maoist-affected regions since 2019.
• Enhanced Force Deployment: Coordinated action by CRPF, CoBRA, DRG, STF, ITBP, and BSF to neutralise Maoist networks.
• Strategic Forward Bases: Establishment of security camps in Abujhmad and Bastar (Chhattisgarh) to restrict Maoist mobility and weaken their operational bases.

Development & Governance as a Countermeasure

• Infrastructure Expansion: 14,400 km of roads (up from 2,900 km, in 2014) and 6,000 mobile towers installed, enhancing connectivity and digital inclusion in Maoist-affected areas.
• Fortification of Police Infrastructure: 544 fortified police stations set up in LWE zones (compared to just 66 under the UPA), bolstering law enforcement capacity.
• State-Led Outreach Programs:

1. Chhattisgarh: Community-driven awareness campaigns to educate tribal populations about Maoist exploitation.
2. Telangana: Emphasis on rehabilitation over force, encouraging voluntary surrenders and reintegration into mainstream society.

Way Forward: SAMADHAN Framework

• The SAMADHAN framework, introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2017, provides a comprehensive strategy to combat Left-Wing Extremism through operations, intelligence, and governance.

• S – Smart Leadership: Strengthening political and administrative will.
• A – Aggressive Strategy: Intensifying counter-insurgency operations.
• M – Motivation and Training: Enhancing skills and morale of security forces.
• A – Actionable Intelligence: Strengthening intelligence networks.
• D – Data-Driven Monitoring: Implementing KPIs & KRAs to measure progress.
• H – Harnessing Technology: Using advanced surveillance and digital tools.
• A – Area-Specific Action Plans: Tailoring strategies for each affected region.
• N – No Access to Financing: Cutting off Maoist funding sources.

Reference: The Indian Express

UPSC Mains PYQs – Theme – Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) / Naxalism

1. [UPSC 2022] Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) has been declared as the biggest internal security threat to India. Examine the role of governance and development in countering LWE in affected regions.
2. [UPSC 2020] What are the determinants of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in the eastern part of India? What strategy should the Government of India, civil administration, and security forces adopt to counter the threat in the affected areas?
3. [UPSC 2018] Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India’s approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE.
4. [UPSC 2015] The persisting drives of the government for the development of large industries in backward areas have resulted in isolating the tribal population and farmers who face multiple displacements. With Malkangiri and Naxalbari as focal points, discuss the corrective strategies needed to win the Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) doctrine-affected citizens back into the mainstream of social and economic growth.
5. [UPSC 2013] Article 244 of the Indian Constitution relates to the administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas. Analyze the impact of the non-implementation of the provisions of the Fifth Schedule on the growth of Left-Wing Extremism.
6. [UPSC 2010] Naxalism is said to be the single biggest internal security threat to India. Critically examine the various strategies adopted by the government to tackle LWE and suggest improvements.
7. [UPSC 2009] Discuss the socio-economic and political factors responsible for the rise of Naxalism in India. How can a multi-dimensional approach help in resolving this issue?

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 79

Q. Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) has declined significantly, yet challenges persist. Critically analyze the effectiveness of the government’s approach and suggest measures for long-term stability. (150 Words) (10 Marks)

Approach

• Introduction: Briefly Introduce the answer by defining LWE and its prevalence in India.
• Body: Discuss the government’s approach to dealing with it and the challenges that persist.
• Conclusion: Write a way forward and conclude appropriately by highlighting the SAMADHAN approach.