Uniting for Peace Ending Naxalism Through Development and Security

The Naxalite movement, often referred to as Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), is one of the longest-standing internal security threats in India. Rooted in communist revolutionary ideology, the movement aims to overthrow the Indian state through a protracted people’s war. The movement views India as a “semi-colonial and semi-feudal state” and seeks to establish a communist society through armed insurgency. This article explores the historical trajectory of the movement, its spread, associated challenges, and the government’s responses to counter LWE activities.

The origins of the Naxalite movement can be traced back to the Naxalbari uprising of 1967 in West Bengal. Spearheaded by communist revolutionaries influenced by Mao Zedong’s ideology, the movement was an armed revolt against feudal oppression and agrarian distress. Led by Charu Mazumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal, the movement initially sought to secure land rights for marginalised peasants and tribal communities. However, over time, it evolved into a widespread insurgency challenging state authority. Following its emergence, the movement fragmented into various factions, the most prominent being the Communist Party of India (Maoist), formed in 2004 through the merger of the People’s War Group (PWG) and Maoist Communist Centre (MCC). The CPI (Maoist) remains the principal LWE group leading the insurgency today. Initially confined to West Bengal, the Naxalite movement rapidly expanded to other states, particularly in regions with high socio-economic disparities. The movement spread to Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka. The ‘Red Corridor,’ as it is often called, encompasses areas with significant Naxalite presence and continues to witness sporadic violence. The movement has been marked by armed insurgency, targeted attacks on security forces, sabotage of government projects, and attempts to establish a parallel administration in affected regions. It has been fueled by deep-rooted grievances, including land alienation, displacement, and socio-economic marginalization of tribal and rural populations.

“An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.” – Mahatma Gandhi

The BJP Government’s Fight Against Naxalism Strategic and Developmental Approach

 The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government has taken a determined and multifaceted approach to combat the Naxalite insurgency, which is a longstanding internal security challenge in India. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government has strategically combined security operations with developmental initiatives to effectively counter Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) and restore normalcy in affected regions. The BJP government has consistently emphasised a comprehensive national security doctrine that aims to not only neutralise extremist threats but also address the root causes of discontent that fuel Naxalite activities. Through a combination of law enforcement, socio-economic reforms, and robust governance, the government has significantly weakened Naxalite strongholds.

Since coming to power, the BJP government has strengthened security operations with a focus on modernising law enforcement agencies, enhancing intelligence gathering, and deploying specialised forces to LWE-affected areas. The introduction of the SAMADHAN doctrine underscores the government’s commitment to addressing Naxalism through a combination of smart leadership, aggressive strategy, motivation and training, actionable intelligence, dashboard-based key performance indicators, harnessing technology, action plans for each theatre, and restricting financial access to extremist groups. The doctrine has resulted in improved coordination between central and state forces, leading to a substantial decline in Naxalite-related violence. Reports from the Ministry of Home Affairs indicate that the number of LWE-affected districts has been reduced from 126 in 2018 to 38 in 2024, demonstrating the success of the government’s sustained efforts. Furthermore, the casualties resulting from Naxalite violence have decreased by 86 percent from an all-time high of 1005 in 2010 to 138 in 2023, showcasing the effectiveness of government policies in restoring peace in insurgency-prone areas.

The BJP government has reinforced its commitment to ending Naxalism through legal measures, including the implementation of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) of 1967 and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act of 2008, which empower law enforcement agencies to combat LWE. Strengthening anti-terror laws has enabled the government to effectively dismantle the operational and financial networks of extremist organisations. Additionally, the government has established specialized units such as the Greyhounds, COBRA battalions, and the Bastariya Battalion to intensify counter-insurgency operations in LWE-affected regions. These elite forces, equipped with modern weaponry, advanced surveillance technology, and superior combat training, have played a crucial role in neutralising extremist elements and restoring the confidence of local populations in governance.

“The only way to end insurgency is to win the hearts and minds of people through inclusive governance.” – Rajnath Singh

Apart from security interventions, the BJP government has prioritised development initiatives to address the socio-economic issues that have historically contributed to the rise of Naxalism. The Aspirational Districts Programme, launched in 2018, is a landmark initiative aimed at transforming underdeveloped districts through targeted interventions in health, education, agriculture, financial inclusion, and skill development. The program ensures that LWE-affected districts receive special attention and resources to improve their socio-economic conditions. As a result, significant improvements have been observed in these regions, with enhanced access to quality education, healthcare facilities, and employment opportunities. Moreover, the government has undertaken massive infrastructure development projects, including the construction of over 9,000 kilometers of roads and the installation of 2,343 mobile towers upgraded to 4G in remote regions. These initiatives have facilitated connectivity, economic growth, and governance outreach in previously isolated areas, making it difficult for extremist groups to operate with impunity. A major aspect of the BJP government’s counter-Naxal strategy is promoting financial inclusion and employment generation to prevent the vulnerable population from falling prey to extremist propaganda. The government has established banks, ATMs, and post offices in previously unbanked areas, allowing rural communities to access financial services and government welfare schemes. Additionally, Skill Development Centres and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) have been set up to train youth in employable skills, ensuring that they have viable alternatives to joining extremist movements. The Roshni Initiative, launched in 2013 and expanded under the BJP government, has successfully provided training and job placement to thousands of rural youths, integrating them into the mainstream economy and reducing the appeal of extremist ideologies.

The BJP government has also made significant strides in improving governance and addressing grievances of tribal and marginalized communities, which are often targeted by Naxalite groups. The government has prioritised land reforms and rehabilitation programs to ensure that displaced communities receive adequate compensation and support. Special efforts have been made to resolve land disputes and promote responsible industrial practices that do not exploit local populations. By implementing policies that focus on social justice, equitable resource distribution, and inclusive growth, the government has weakened the ideological foundation of the Naxalite movement, making it increasingly difficult for extremist groups to sustain their operations. Recognising the importance of intelligence-based operations, the BJP government has invested in modern surveillance technology, drones, and artificial intelligence-driven predictive analytics to preempt Naxalite attacks and track the movements of extremist groups. The integration of technology in counter-insurgency efforts has significantly enhanced the effectiveness of security forces and minimised collateral damage during operations. Additionally, a strong focus on inter-agency coordination has ensured that intelligence-sharing mechanisms between central and state security agencies remain robust, further strengthening the government’s ability to counter LWE activities. The success of the BJP government’s approach is evident in the sharp decline in Naxalite-related incidents. In 2024 alone, there has been a 25 percent reduction in LWE-perpetrated incidents compared to the previous year. The government’s comprehensive strategy, which combines hard power with development-driven initiatives, has dismantled the operational capabilities of Naxalite groups while simultaneously addressing the socio-economic challenges that fuel discontent. By prioritising law and order, infrastructure development, and welfare programs, the BJP government has ensured that the affected regions are integrated into the national mainstream, fostering a sense of stability and progress.

Moving forward, the BJP government remains committed to eradicating Naxalism through continued security enhancements, socio-economic reforms, and governance strengthening. The government acknowledges that while significant progress has been made, sustained efforts are necessary to ensure that the remnants of the Naxalite movement are fully dismantled. By promoting effective cooperation between the centre and the states, empowering local law enforcement agencies, and ensuring that developmental initiatives reach the last mile, the government aims to permanently resolve the issue of Left-Wing Extremism in India. The holistic approach taken by the BJP government serves as a model for countering insurgency, demonstrating that a combination of strong governance, strategic security operations, and inclusive development can successfully combat extremism and restore peace in historically troubled regions.