Naxalism is a social, economic and developmental issue manifesting as a violent internal security threat. In this context, discuss the emerging issues and suggest a multilayered strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism.

Left Wing Extremism (LWE), or Naxalism, is rooted in socio-economic grievances — land alienation, tribal marginalisation, denial of forest rights and developmental neglect — that Maoists exploit to wage armed insurgency. It is thus simultaneously a development deficit and a violent internal-security threat.

Emerging issues

• Shrinking but consolidating footprint in a few districts of the "Red Corridor" (Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha).
• Use of IEDs, urban-front organisations and social media for radicalisation.
• Tribal alienation over land acquisition and mining in fifth-schedule areas.
• Nexus with extortion, illegal mining and cross-border arms.

A multilayered strategy

• Security: coordinated CAPF-state police operations, better intelligence, technology (SAMADHAN doctrine), and securing surrendered cadres.
• Development: road connectivity (RRP), Aspirational Districts Programme, skill and livelihood schemes in affected areas.
• Governance: plugging the vacuum through local administration, banking and telecom penetration.
• Tribal rights: effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006 and PESA 1996 to restore trust.
• Rehabilitation: attractive surrender-and-rehabilitation policies to wean away cadres.
• Financial choke: cutting off extortion and illegal-mining funding.

Conclusion

The steep fall in LWE-affected districts and violence reflects the success of this dual approach. Sustained convergence of security and inclusive development, anchored in tribal rights and last-mile governance, is the durable answer to Naxalism.