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The Ministry of Home Affairs declared that no district in India remains affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), following the success of 'Operation Antim Prahar'.

Read all about: NAXALISM: INTERNAL SECURITY CHALLENGE l END OF THE RED CORRIDOR l LEFT-WING EXTREMISM INDIA EXPLAINED l COUNTERING EXTREMISM IN INDIA

About Operation Antim Prahar

Operation Antim Prahar was an anti-Naxal drive conducted in Maharashtra to eliminate the final remnants of armed insurgency in the region.

The Gadchiroli Police's Special Campaign Squad and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jointly execute the operation.

Following the operation, the police administration declares Gadchiroli district as “Naxal-free,” noting that no Maoists remain on the official “wanted” list.

Which Factors Have Driven the Decline in Naxal Activities?

The reduction in Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) results from a multi-pronged government strategy that integrates aggressive security measures with pro-people development.

Statistical Decline: Violent incidents involving LWE dropped by 81%, and related deaths decreased by 85% compared to 2010 levels. (Source: PIB)
National Policy & Action Plan (2015): Institutionalized a zero-tolerance approach, focusing on concurrent security and development interventions.
The SAMADHAN Doctrine: The Ministry of Home Affairs employs this integrated framework to dismantle the Maoist ecosystem:

S – Smart Leadership: Decisive planning by security heads.
A – Aggressive Strategy: Continuous pressure on insurgent strongholds.
M – Motivation and Training: Specialized training for units like CoBRA.
A – Actionable Intelligence: Grassroots intelligence networking.
D – Dashboard-based KPIs (Key Performance Indicators): Data-driven monitoring of operations.
H – Harnessing Technology: Utilizing UAVs (drones) and satellite imagery.
A – Action Plan for Each Theatre: Customized district-level strategies.
N – No Access to Financing: Choking funds via the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Rehabilitation Success: Sustained operations and attractive surrender policies encourage over 8,000 Naxalites to abandon violence in the last decade.
Territorial Control: Security forces regain control over previously "impregnable" areas such as Buddha Pahad in Jharkhand.

Source: NEWSONAIR

Attempt Daily Quiz

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements about 'Operation Antim Prahar':

It was a joint anti-insurgency campaign executed by the Gadchiroli Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
The operation successfully led to the declaration of Gadchiroli as a "Naxal-free" district.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: 'Operation Antim Prahar' was an intense anti-insurgency campaign jointly executed by the Gadchiroli Police (including its specialized C-60 commando unit) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The operation targeted the remaining active armed Maoist cadres operating along the borders and forest areas.

Statement 2 is correct: Following the decisive success of this 100-hour crackdown—which resulted in the arrest of eight active Maoists and the surrender of five senior cadres—no active Maoists were left on the district's official "wanted" list. Consequently, the police administration officially declared Gadchiroli a "Naxal-free" district.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

It was a definitive, intelligence-backed joint security operation executed by the Gadchiroli Police, C-60 commandos, and the CRPF to neutralize the last remaining active armed Maoist cells in the region.

According to a recent assessment by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), no district in India currently falls under the LWE-affected category.

The Maoist insurgency was heavily fueled by deep-seated socio-economic grievances, including widespread poverty, severe malnutrition, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and the social marginalization of tribal communities.