India Takes Bold Steps to Eradicate Left Wing Extremism: A Year of Success and Resolution
A resolution was passed to wipe out Left Wing Extremism (LWE) from the country in the next two years at a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah with chief ministers and deputy chief ministers on Friday.
According to the home ministry, major successes have been achieved against the menace in 2022 and 2023. “Shah said that with the determination of Prime Minister Modi and the cooperation of all the states affected by Left Wing Extremism, major successes have been achieved against it in 2022 and 2023. He said that this is the year of taking resolution to completely eliminate Left Wing Extremism in the next 2 years,” the ministry said in a press release.
Amit Shah said that as a result of the government’s zero-tolerance policy, the lowest level of LWE-related violence and deaths in four decades was recorded in 2022. There has been a decline of more than 52 per cent in Left Wing Extremism-related violence, 69 per cent in deaths, 72 per cent in deaths of security personnel, and 68 per cent in civilian deaths between 2014 and 2023, compared to the period from 2005 to 2014.
The home minister said that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) are working closely with all state agencies to attack the financing of Left Wing Extremism. He also said that 195 new camps of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been established and 44 more will be set up. Shah said that the deployment of CAPFs against Left Wing Extremism, rationalization of development, and setting up of camps in vacuum areas are priorities of the Narendra Modi government.
The home minister said that the Modi government is taking several steps to speed up development in Left Wing Extremism-affected states. “He said that special attention is being given to areas like road construction, telecommunication, financial inclusion, skill development, and education. Shah said the central government has launched more than 14,000 projects under the Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme to accelerate development in the districts most affected by Left Wing Extremism,” the ministry press release said. It also said that during the meeting, Shah emphasized that more than 80 per cent of these projects have been completed and Rs 3,296 crore has been released to Left Wing Extremism-affected states under the plan.
Amit Shah said under the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), projects worth Rs 992 crore have been sanctioned for the construction of fortified police stations, strengthening of state intelligence branches, and special forces of Left Wing Extremism-affected states. In the past 9 years, the Modi government has more than doubled the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) compared to the earlier period.
Key Achievements in the Fight Against Left Wing Extremism
As India continues its determined effort to eliminate Left Wing Extremism, several noteworthy achievements have been realized:
| Year | Reduction in Violence (%) | Reduction in Deaths (%) | Reduction in Security Personnel Deaths (%) | Reduction in Civilian Deaths (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-2023 | 52% | 69% | 72% | 68% |
| 2005-2014 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
These figures showcase the significant progress made in reducing violence and casualties related to Left Wing Extremism over the past decade.
Intensified Efforts and Strategies
The meeting also highlighted the intensified efforts and strategies employed to combat Left Wing Extremism:
- The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) are collaborating with state agencies to disrupt the financing of Left Wing Extremism.
- 195 new camps of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been established, with plans for 44 more, to bolster security in affected regions.
- The Modi government is prioritizing the deployment of CAPFs, rationalization of development, and setting up of camps in critical areas.
Accelerated Development Initiatives
Efforts to accelerate development in Left Wing Extremism-affected states are in full swing:
- Focus areas include road construction, telecommunication, financial inclusion, skill development, and education.
- The Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme has launched over 14,000 projects to expedite development in highly affected districts.
- Over 80 per cent of these projects have already been completed, with Rs 3,296 crore released to Left Wing Extremism-affected states.
Investing in Security Infrastructure
The Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS) has been instrumental in fortifying security infrastructure:
- Projects worth Rs 992 crore have been sanctioned to construct fortified police stations, strengthen state intelligence branches, and support special forces in affected states.
- Security Related Expenditure (SRE) has more than doubled in the past 9 years, reflecting the government’s commitment to enhancing security measures.
The high-level meeting also brought together key stakeholders, including union ministers, the national security adviser, the union home secretary, director generals of CAPFs, secretaries to the central government, chief secretaries of states, director generals of police, and other senior officials, reaffirming the government’s collective dedication to eradicating Left Wing Extremism from India.
India’s resolute efforts and achievements in the fight against Left Wing Extremism signify a significant step toward ensuring peace, security, and development in affected regions.