GS Paper 3 10 marks · 150w 9 min Medium
Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India’s approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE.
Subtopic: Internal Security · Left Wing Extremism
How to structure your answer
Introduction → LWE trend & spread → security pillar (SAMADHAN, CAPFs, intelligence) → development pillar (roads, connectivity, financial inclusion) → rights & rehabilitation → Conclusion: two-pronged approach
Written within the word limit
152 words · target 150 words · 9 min
Left Wing Extremism (LWE), or Naxalism, seeks to capture power through armed struggle across the Red Corridor. Sustained action has shrunk both the geographic spread and violence, though pockets across states such as Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand remain affected.
Government's approach
The strategy rests on the National Policy and Action Plan, 2015, combining security and development.
- Security measures: the SAMADHAN doctrine, deployment of Central Armed Police Forces, capacity-building of state police, better actionable intelligence and choking of terror financing.
- Development measures: road connectivity (RCPLWEA), mobile towers, the Aspirational Districts Programme and Special Central Assistance to fill governance gaps.
- Financial inclusion: opening bank branches, post offices and ATMs in affected districts.
- Rights and rehabilitation: implementation of the Forest Rights Act and PESA, plus surrender-cum-rehabilitation policies to wean away cadres.
Way forward
Bridging the trust deficit through local governance, tribal welfare and swift delivery of entitlements will consolidate the security gains and address the root causes of alienation.
What an examiner expects to see
- LWE violence and affected districts have declined but persist in a shrinking core
- National Policy and Action Plan 2015 pairs security with development
- SAMADHAN doctrine guides coordinated anti-Naxal operations
- Development: road/mobile connectivity, Aspirational Districts, Special Central Assistance
- Financial inclusion and grievance redressal reduce local support base
- Forest Rights Act, PESA and rehabilitation address tribal alienation
- Root-cause governance deficits must be closed to sustain gains
Concrete cases, schemes and judgments
- SAMADHAN doctrine and Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme
- Road Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas (RCPLWEA)
- Aspirational Districts Programme covering LWE districts
- Forest Rights Act, 2006 and PESA, 1996 for tribal empowerment
Terminology to weave into the answer
Left Wing ExtremismSAMADHANRed CorridorAspirational Districtstribal alienation