Q. Examine the linkages between Left Wing Extremism and development in India. Highlight the steps taken by the government to check Left Wing Extremism.(Answer in 250 words).

07 Oct, 2022 GS III Daily Answer Writing 2022-23 ( Upgrade)
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Described by former PM Manmohan Singh as the single biggest internal security challenge ever faced by India, the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is a form of armed insurgency against the State, motivated by leftist ideology. 

LWE is said to have a parasitic relationship with ‘development’, where it feeds off the ‘lack of development’:

Developmental issues leading to rise & spread of LWE 

  • Land alienation: failure of land reforms, insecure tenants forced evictions, land acquisitions without rehabilitation etc. leading to sustenance of LWE.
  • Developmental Displacement:g. irrigation, mining & industrial projects in Odisha, Jharkhand displaced several Tribal populations.
  • Livelihood insecurity: disruption in traditional occupation (minor forest produce) without lack of alternative opportunities.
  • Governance deficit: corruption in welfare scheme(PDS, health), lack of basic infrastructure (road, electricity), ‘Absentee bureaucracy’ with ivory tower approach etc.
  • Social Exclusion: dismal access to health, education, & food security; Acute poverty è sense of powerlessness

LWE as an obstacle to Development 

  • Targeted attacks: on critical infrastructure (roads, rail, communication links, hospitals, schools etc.) è reversing ‘developmental gains’.
  • Creating ‘reign of terror’ through violent attacks, extortions and threats of abduction or death, putting development officials, NGOs & tribals into inaction.
  • Radicalisation of youths by tapping into the perceived feeling of ethnic, economic, and political subjugation è loss of vibrant demographic dividend. 

Steps taken by the government to check LWE:

  • Development Measures:
    • Holistic development of LWE affected areas: E.g., Integrated Action Plan, Special Central Assistance, Aspirational districts in 35 LWE affected districts, etc.
    • Skill development initiatives, like Roshni and employment generating activities like MGNREGA.
    • Others: Provisioning of healthcare (ICDS), education (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan), clean drinking water, pucca houses with sanitation facilities, electricity, etc.
  • Security Measures:
    • Special police forces were created g., Greyhounds of AP, Jharkhand Jaguar of Jharkhand, C-60 commando of Maharashtra etc.
    • Strengthening of intelligence networks to give impetus to counter-insurgency operations, E.g., Operation Anaconda, Jharkhand
    • ‘Modernization of Police Forces’ scheme and ‘Security Related Expenditure’ (SRE) scheme.
  • Trust building Measures:
    • Due recognition to tribal rights: For eg. under PESA 1996, Forest Rights Act, 2006
    • Welfare activities: have been undertaken by Security forces under the Civic Action Program.
    • Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation scheme: for Naxals to come out of the movement and join the mainstream
    • Counter-propaganda: in influencing tribal youth to join security forces. E.g., Bastaria Battalion
  • Other initiatives: MHA created LWE Division; National Policy and Action Plan’ launched etc, 

These measures have helped in reducing the incidents of LWE violence by 80% in the past decade. 

Way Forward:

  • SAMADHAN strategy for rooting out Naxalism (Smart Leadership, Aggressive Strategy, Motivation and Training, Actionable Intelligence, Dashboard-based Key Result Areas, Harnessing Technology, Action Plan for Each Theatre, No access to Financing).
  • Political resolution: Need to develop a credible state that makes citizens secureè Break Politician-LWE nexus
  • Inclusive Governance - Encourage PESA and strengthen local governance.
  • Bridge Governance Deficit:
    • Development plans to be executed in Mission Mode.
    • Posting dedicated officers, with impeccable integrity, as Developmental Heads (from within the state).
    • Curb corruption, plug leakages (diversion of funding)
  • Security with a human face: States must raise, equip, & field police forces embedded in local conditions.
  • Public Perception management: Accord massive publicity to anti people actions of Naxals
  • Joining hands with Civil society & Corporates: Mandate making tribes permanent beneficiaries of developmental projects (for District mineral Fund)) 
Thus, to break the cycle of violence, the narrative of development in the conflicted regions should be changed towards ‘Inclusive Growth as an antidote’.

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