Left-wing extremism has shrunk to a narrow geographical core. Examine the SAMADHAN doctrine and the development-security calibration in affected districts.

Introduction: MHA data records Left Wing Extremism incidents at ~370 in 2024 against 2,213 in 2010 — an 83% decline; the count of LWE-affected districts has shrunk from 126 to 38 (as of April 2024), with the Home Minister setting a March 2026 deadline to end LWE in its current form.

Body: First, SAMADHAN doctrine — Smart leadership, Aggressive strategy, Motivation, Actionable intelligence, Dashboard KPIs, Harnessing technology, Action plan, and No access to financing — anchors the kinetic-cum-development response. Second, development levers — Aspirational Districts Programme (launched 2018), road construction under RCPLWEA, and skill-building for tribal youth in Saranda and Bastar. Third, security forces — CRPF, COBRA battalions, and State police now operate forward-operating bases, with Sukma encounters in 2024 marking significant operational success.

Way forward: Sustain ADP investments, deepen FRA 2006 implementation in Bastar, choke financial flows via PMLA, and frame a national surrender-rehabilitation policy under MHA by 2027.