NINE MAOISTS, including six women, were killed in an encounter with security forces at the border of Dantewada and Bijapur districts in Chhattisgarh.
LWE(Left Wing Extremism)in Chhattisgarh:
–Chhatisgarh is the only state in which Maoists continue to have a significant presence, and retain the capability to mount big attacks.
-According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) website, there are 70 LWE affected districts in the country. Of these, 15 are in Chhattisgarh alone. Of the 25 “Most LWE affected Districts”, seven are in Chhattisgarh, while eight are in Jharkhand
–Chhattisgarh, and to a lesser extent Jharkhand, is a part of the government’s “final push” against LWE.
-This has seen central forces such as CRPF setting up bases deeper inside Maoist strongholds such as the jungles of Abujhmad.
– In the past few years, more than two dozen bases have been set up in Abujhmad, with Kanker’s Rowghat jungles too seeing new camps.
What is Naxalism?
Origin of Naxalism :
-The term Naxalism derives its name from the village Naxalbari of West Bengal.
It originated as rebellion against local landlords who bashed a peasant over a land dispute.
-The movement soon spread across Eastern India in less developed areas of states such as Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
-Left-wing extremists (LWE) are popularly known as Maoists worldwide and as Naxalites in India.
Objective behind the LWE:
-They advocate for the overthrow of the Indian government through armed revolution and the establishment of a communist state based on Maoist principles.
-They advocate for the overthrow of the Indian government through armed revolution and the establishment of a communist state based on Maoist principles.
-They view the state as oppressive, exploitative, and serving the interests of the ruling elite, and seek to address socio-economic grievances through armed struggle and people’s war.
Causes of Left wing Extremism
Several factors contribute to the persistence of left-wing extremism in the country:
1. Historical Context:
Land Reforms and Feudalism: The movement traces its origins to the 1967 Naxalbari uprising in West Bengal, where landless peasants revolted against landlords. Despite India’s independence, feudal practices and inequities in land ownership persisted, fueling discontent.
Neglect of Tribal and Rural Areas: Tribal communities and rural areas, particularly in central and eastern India, have historically been marginalized. The failure of land reform policies and the lack of development in these areas have led to frustration and alienation.
2. Socio-Economic Inequality:
Poverty and Unemployment: High levels of poverty, unemployment, and lack of basic amenities like education, healthcare, and infrastructure in many parts of rural India have created fertile ground for extremist ideologies.
Exploitation by Corporates and the State: The exploitation of natural resources, displacement due to large-scale industrial and infrastructure projects, and inadequate compensation for affected communities have further aggravated local grievances.
3. Political Factors:
Failure of Governance: The absence of effective governance in many remote regions has led to a vacuum that extremist groups have exploited. Corruption, inefficiency, and the lack of accountability in the administration contribute to the problem.
Important Government Initiatives for LWE Affected States:
In order to holistically address the LWE problem in an effective manner, Government has formulated National Policy and Action Plan adopting multi-pronged strategy in the areas of security, development, ensuring rights & entitlement of local communities, etc.
Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme:
This Scheme is being implemented as a sub-scheme of the Umbrella Scheme ‘Modernization of Police Forces’. Under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme, the Central Government reimburses security related expenditure for LWE affected districts and districts earmarked for monitoring.
Special Central Assistance (SCA) for most LWE affected districts:
This Scheme was approved in 2017 and is being implemented as a sub-scheme of the Umbrella Scheme ‘Modernization of Police Forces’. The main objective of the Scheme is to fill the critical gaps in Public Infrastructure and Services in most LWE affected districts, which are of emergent nature.
Special Infrastructure Schemes:
Scheme is being implemented as a sub-scheme of the Umbrella Scheme ‘Modernization of Police Forces’. Under the scheme funds are provided to States for strengthening the infrastructure related to Security.
Scheme of Fortified Police stations:
Under the scheme400 Fortified Police Stations have been constructed in 10 LWE affected States.
Put together 606 Fortified Police Stations have been constructed in LWE affected areas.
Civic Action Programme (CAP):
This Scheme is being implemented as a sub-scheme of the Umbrella Scheme ‘Modernization of Police Forces’ to bridge the gaps between Security Forces and local people through personal interaction and bring the human face of SFs before the local population.
Aspirational District:
The Ministry of Home Affairs has been tasked with the monitoring of Aspirational districts programme in 35 LWE affected districts.
Way Forward
Improving the situation regarding Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes while also ensuring security and promoting development. Here’s a way forward:
1. Address Socioeconomic Inequalities
Development Projects: Focus on improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities in areas affected by LWE. Ensure that these projects are implemented effectively and transparently.
Land Reforms: Implement land reforms that ensure fair distribution of land and resources to marginalized communities. This can help address one of the key grievances of these groups.
2. Engage in Dialogue Peace Talks: Initiate dialogue with extremist groups to bring them into the mainstream. Mediation by neutral parties or respected leaders can help in this process.
Rehabilitation Programs: Offer rehabilitation programs for surrendered extremists, including vocational training and social reintegration efforts.
3. Enhance Security Operations
Modernization of Forces: Equip security forces with modern technology and training to effectively deal with extremist activities while minimizing collateral damage.
Intelligence Gathering: Strengthen intelligence networks to preempt attacks and dismantle extremist networks.
4. Political Inclusion
Empower Local Governance: Strengthen local governance and involve local communities in decision-making processes. This can reduce the alienation felt by these communities.
Political Reforms: Encourage political representation of marginalized groups to ensure their voices are heard in democratic processes.
5. Collaborate with Civil Society
NGO Involvement: Collaborate with NGOs and civil society organizations that have a presence in affected areas to implement development and peacebuilding initiatives.