NAXALISM: BACKGROUND, CHALLENGES, WAY FORWARD

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Picture Courtesy:  THE HINDU

Context

Decline of Naxalism is a result of the government's multi-pronged approach combining robust security operations, and development initiatives focused on improving connectivity, infrastructure, and addressing the socio-economic grievances.

Historical Background of Naxalism in India

Origin: Root of Naxalism traces back to the 1967 Naxalbari uprising (West Bengal) led by Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal.

• Rebellion against local landlords sparked the formation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) [CPI(ML)] in 1969, which advocated for armed revolution.
• Naxalism, influenced by Maoist thought, believes in class conflict and advocates for a "protracted people's war" to overthrow the state, which they see as feudal and imperialist. 

Initial Phase (1967-1980): Movement spread rapidly but was suppressed by the state through "Operation Steeplechase," leading to its fragmentation after Majumdar's death in 1972.

Resurgence and Consolidation (1980-2004): Groups like the People's War Group (PWG) in Andhra Pradesh and the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) in Bihar revived the insurgency.

• Expanded their influence across central and eastern India, creating a "Red Corridor".

Peak and Decline (2004-Present): The PWG and MCC merged in 2004 to form the powerful Communist Party of India (Maoist).

• The insurgency peaked in the late 2000s, with violence spanning nearly 180 districts.
• However, since 2010, a sustained multi-pronged government strategy has led to decline in Naxal influence and violence.
• Violence Incidents: Incidents of Naxal violence fell by 81% from a peak of 1,936 in 2010 to 374 in 2024.
• Fatalities: Total deaths (civilians and security forces) dropped by 85%, from 1,005 in 2010 to 150 in 2024.
• Geographical Spread: Number of districts classified as 'most-affected' has been reduced to just six as of April 2025.
  • These include Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, and Sukma in Chhattisgarh; West Singhbhum in Jharkhand; and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra.
• Affected Areas: The total number of LWE-affected districts has decreased from 182 in 2013 to 18 districts in April 2025. 

The Union Home Minister plan to completely eliminating Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

Root Causes of the Naxalism in India

Unequal land distribution and Agrarian distress: Inadequate land reforms encourage distress and vulnerability among landless laborers and small farmers, who remain dependent on exploitative landlords. 

• Telangana peasant uprisings of the 1940s against feudal exploitation and landlessness highlight the historical roots of agrarian discontent.
• The NSSO data highlights that 60% of India's population possesses only about 5% of the land.

Forest land alienation: Loopholes and weak implementation of forest and land laws like the Forest Conservation Act, Mines Act, and Land Acquisition laws deprive tribals of their traditional rights to forest land and resources.

• Large-scale mining, industrialization, and development projects displace tribal populations without adequate rehabilitation and compensation, fueling resentment and creating fertile ground.
• Protests against coal mining expansion in the Hasdeo Arand forest underline the conflict between development projects and environmental conservation, as well as tribal rights.

Exploitation by outsiders: Tribals face exploitation by outsiders, including government officials, contractors, and dominant groups, reinforcing their sense of marginalization. 

• Dongria Kondh tribe successfully fought against Vedanta Resources' bauxite mining project in Niyamgiri (Odisha), highlighting the threat to traditional forest rights.

Poverty: States like Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand have higher poverty levels than the national average, making the Naxalite promise of land and social justice attractive to landless laborers and marginalized communities.

• In areas affected by Naxalism, poverty and lack of opportunities lead to the recruitment of children by Naxalite groups, forcing them into violence and depriving them of their childhood and education.

Lack of economic opportunities: Limited access to education and skills training, especially for youth in tribal and rural areas, restricts their opportunities for gainful employment, and making Naxal ideology appealing.

• Schemes like MGNREGA have improved rural spending and livelihood opportunities, and vocational training centers exist in Naxal-affected areas, however challenges in ensuring their effective implementation.

Inadequate Development:  Inaccessible areas suffer from a lack of roads, hospitals, schools, and communication facilities, increasing alienation and mistrust of the government.

• Naxalites restrict development activities by targeting infrastructure and development workers, creating a vicious cycle of poverty and preventing basic services from reaching these communities. 

Administrative apathy and corruption:  Allegations of corruption and failure to deliver justice erode public trust in the state machinery. 

• Corruption within the Public Distribution System, particularly in remote tribal areas, diverts subsidized food grains, leaving the poor dependent on Naxalite-provided alternatives and strengthening their parallel governance structures.

Allegations of extrajudicial actions: Reports and allegations of custodial torture, fake encounters, and disproportionate force by security forces fuel resentment and reinforce the Naxal narrative of state oppression and injustice.

• Local journalists and activists investigating these abuses have faced harassment and accusations of being "Naxalite sympathizers".

Human rights violations: Supreme Court declared Salwa Judum, a state-backed civilian militia in Chhattisgarh, illegal due to human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and displacement.

Steps taken by Indian Government against Naxalism (Left Wing Extremism)

Security-related initiatives

Zero-Tolerance Approach: Increase in anti-Naxal operations and the establishment of new security camps.

• Since 2019, 280 new security camps have been established, along with 15 Joint Task Forces and 6 CRPF battalions, indicating a strong push to enhance security presence and conduct aggressive operations.

Targeted Operations & Force Modernization: Large-scale operations like Operation Green Hunt have deployed joint forces and specialized COBRA commandos to curb Naxalite activity.

• Specialized forces like the Greyhounds in Andhra Pradesh and the Bastariya Battalion in Chhattisgarh, which involve local youth, especially tribals, are strengthened. 

Fortified Police Stations and Infrastructure: Construction of Fortified Police Stations (FPS) in LWE-affected areas.

Technological Advancement: Leveraging drone surveillance and satellite imaging, combined with artificial intelligence, for tactical intelligence gathering and deployment of security forces.

SAMADHAN Strategy: Doctrine to combat Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)

• S - Smart Leadership
• A - Aggressive Strategy
• M - Motivation and Training
• A - Actionable Intelligence
• D - Dashboard-based Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Result Areas (KRAs)
• H - Harnessing Technology
• A - Action Plan for Each Theatre
• N - No access to Financing

Development & rehabilitation initiatives

Socio-Economic Development: Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, recognizes the rights of forest-dwelling communities, including tribals, over forest land and resources, addressing historical injustices.

• Villagers in Podochuanpadar, Odisha, gained legal rights to their ancestral land after the implementation of FRA, empowering them and reducing the threat of eviction.

Skill Development and Education: Programs such as the ROSHNI scheme and the establishment of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and Skill Development Centres (SDCs) in LWE-affected areas to enhance employability among the local populace.

• As of May 2025, 48 ITIs and 61 SDCs are functional in LWE affected areas. 178 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) established in tribal blocks to ensure quality education.

Infrastructure Connectivity: Road construction projects like the Road Requirement Plan-I (RRP-I) and the Road Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas (RCPLWE) enhancing connectivity and facilitating development.

• Government to equip the entire Naxal-affected region with mobile connectivity by December 1, 2025.

Civic Action Programme (CAP): Builds trust between locals and security forces through civic activities, including medical camps, skill development programs, and youth engagement initiatives.

• In Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, CRPF organized sports tournaments and cultural activities, distributing sports kits to motivate the youth to participate in mainstream society.

Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP): Focus on transforming 112 underdeveloped districts, including those affected by LWE, by improving health, education, infrastructure, and other key indicators.

• The program focuses on five themes: health & nutrition (30%), education (30%), agriculture & water resources (20%), financial inclusion & skill development (10%), and basic infrastructure (10%).
• Baramulla (Jammu & Kashmir), facing cross-border terrorism, has shown progress in health, education, and infrastructure development, received a PM Award for Excellence in Public Administration in 2022.

Rehabilitation Policies: Government offers surrender-cum-rehabilitation policies, including financial assistance and skill training, to encourage Naxal cadres to join the mainstream.

• These efforts have resulted in the surrender of over 8,000 Naxalites in the last 10 years. 

NIA & ED Involvement: National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) are actively involved in investigating and prosecuting cases related to Naxalite funding, disrupting their financial networks and seizing illicit funds.

Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: Focus on comprehensive development for tribal communities, particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs), by addressing infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood opportunities.

• It benefits over 5 crore tribal people across 549 districts, spanning 30 states and Union Territories (UTs).
• It integrated 25 interventions across 17 ministries and departments of the Government of India.

Challenges for Government in combating Naxalism in India

Difficult Terrain: Naxalites exploit dense, inaccessible forests like Abujhmad in Chhattisgarh, creating natural fortresses that are logistical challenging for security forces.

Financial Network: Naxals run a parallel economy through extortion, illegal mining, and criminal alliances, effectively funding their insurgency through the "Red Corridor."

External Support: Naxalites maintain links with other insurgent groups, like the ULFA, for weapons training and logistical support.

Intelligence Failures: Deep integration with locals through village committees ("sanghams") creates a wall of silence, blinding security agencies.

Coordination Gaps: Friction and poor information sharing between central forces and state police hinder joint operations, as seen during Operation Green Hunt.

Poor Communication: Mobile and internet blackouts in regions like Bastar cripple real-time intelligence gathering and operational command.

Root Grievances: They thrives on genuine issues of poverty, landlessness, and exploitation, which trace back to the original 1967 Naxalbari uprising.

Governance Deficit: Absence of effective administration and the failure to implement laws like the PESA Act create a vacuum.

Exploitation of Local Issues: Naxals co-opt local protests, such as the anti-mining demonstrations in Hasdeo Arand (chhattisgarh), to fuel anti-government sentiment.

Human Rights Dilemma: Heavy-handed security measures risk alienating locals. The backlash against the state-sponsored Salwa Judum vigilante group created deep, lasting mistrust.

Resource Constraints: State police forces are often outmatched, lacking the specialized training and equipment required for jungle warfare.

Urban Naxalism: The ideology is spreading to urban areas through intellectual and activist networks, creating a new front in the conflict, as highlighted by the Bhima Koregaon case.

Way Forward to eliminate Naxalism

Aggressive Operations: Conduct intelligence-based operations like "Operation Prahar" to neutralize Naxal leadership and shrink their territory.

Choke Financing: Use the NIA and ED to dismantle terror-funding networks and block their access to funds from extortion and illegal mining.

Enhance Technology: Equip forces with drones, night vision, and counter-IED tech for a tactical advantage.

Inter-State Coordination: Replicate the successful joint-operation model of Andhra’s Greyhounds with neighboring state police to seal borders.

• Greyhounds force of Andhra Pradesh  conducts joint operations with Odisha Police in the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha Border (AOB) zone.

Infrastructure Push: Accelerate the construction of all-weather roads and mobile towers in remote areas to improve access for security force and connects isolated villagers to the mainstream economy and administration.

Address Root Causes: Ensure effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and PESA Act to grant land rights and empower local communities.

• Empower Gram Sabha to make decisions about local development and resource use. This strengthens grassroots democracy and leaves no space for Naxalites to run their parallel "Janatana Sarkars" (people's governments).

Youth Engagement: Provide alternatives to violence through initiatives like the "Education City" in Dantewada and skill training via the Roshni scheme.

• Chhattisgarh government established a sprawling educational campus in Dantewada to provide quality education, from primary to polytechnic levels, for children from Naxal-affected villages.
• Roshni scheme, a skill development program under the Ministry of Rural Development, has trained thousands of youth in LWE districts, making them job-ready.

Welfare Delivery: Use programs like the Aspirational Districts Programme to fast-track the delivery of basic amenities and services.

• Opening of new bank branches, ATMs, and India Post Payments Bank access points in remote blocks of Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) and Malkangiri (Odisha) has enabled direct benefit transfers (DBT) for welfare schemes, reducing dependence on exploitative local moneylenders.

Community Policing: Build trust through civic action programs, like the successful model in Gadchirol, to win local support.

• In Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, the district administration has successfully implemented the FRA, granting Community Forest Rights (CFR) to hundreds of villages, undermined the Naxal narrative of state exploitation and empowered locals to manage their own resources.

Counter-Narrative: Use local media and folk art to expose Naxal ideology and showcase the benefits of development.

•  Chhattisgarh government uses local radio stations and sponsors traditional folk art forms like 'Nacha' to perform plays and songs that highlight the futility of violence and showcase the government's development work.

Effective Surrender Policies: Promote attractive rehabilitation packages (including skill development and seed capital) to encourage cadres to surrender and rejoin the mainstream. 

Conclusion

Striking the right balance between effective security operations and inclusive development is crucial. While security measures are important, prioritizing the welfare and development of local communities is equally essential to address the root causes and win over their support. 

Source: THE HINDU