27-Apr-2022: Cabinet approves upgradation of 2G mobile sites to 4G at security sites in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) areas

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved a Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) project for upgrading 2G mobile services to 4G at security sites in LWE areas.

The Project envisages upgrading2,343 left Wing Extremism Phase-I sites from 2G to 4G mobile services at an estimated cost of Rs.1,884.59 crore (Excluding taxes and levies).  This includes O&M for five years.  However, BSNL will maintain the sites for another five years at its own cost.  The work will be awarded to BSNL because these sites belong to BSNL.

The Cabinet also approved funding of operations and maintenance cost of LWE Phase-I 2G sites by BSNL for an extended period beyond the contractual period of five years at an estimated cost of Rs.541.80 crore.  The extension will be up to 12 months from the date of approval by the Cabinet or commissioning of 4G sites, whichever is earlier.

Government chose BSNL for a prestigious project to indigenous 4G telecom equipment so as to achieve self-reliance in the telecom gear segment to fulfil domestic market needs apart from exporting to other markets.  This 4G equipment will be deployed in this project also.

The upgradation will enable better internet and data services in these LSW areas.  It meets the requirements of Ministry of Home Affairs and the state governments.  It shall also fulfil the communication needs of the security personnel deployed in these areas.   The proposal is in line with the goal of providing mobile connectivity in rural areas.   In addition, delivery of various e-governance services, banking services, tele-medicine; tele-education etc. through mobile broadband shall be possible in these areas.

5-Apr-2022: Development of LWE Affected Areas

As per Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, subjects of 'Police and Public Order' are with the State Governments. However, to address the LWE menace holistically, a National Policy and Action Plan was launched in 2015 to address Left Wing Extremism (LWE). It envisages a multi-pronged strategy involving security related measures, development interventions, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities etc.

On the development front, the Central Government has taken various initiatives with special thrust on expansion of road network; improving telecom connectivity; financial inclusion of local population; skill development and education facilities in the LWE areas.

More than 16,200 km roads have been approved in LWE affected areas under specific schemes Road Requirement Plan-I (RRP-1) and Road Connectivity Project for LWE affected areas (RCPLWEA). Out of these, 10,600 km roads have already been constructed with an expenditure of approximately Rs. 13,000 crore.

2,343 mobile towers were installed under Phase-l and work order has been issued for 2,542 towers under phase-II of Mobile Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas. Another 4,312 mobile towers have been approved in LWE affected areas under the scheme for uncovered Aspirational Districts.

For Skill Development of the youth in these areas, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in 47 districts and Skill Development Centres (SDCs) in 34 Districts have been approved with an estimated cost of Rs. 407 crore under "Skill Development Scheme in 47 Districts affected by LWE".

Of the 234 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) approved for LWE affected areas till date, 99 EMRS have been approved in the last 02 years. Further, Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) have been approved and made functional in all the most LWE affected districts.

For financial inclusion of the populace in LWE Affected areas, 4,442 new Post Offices have been opened in the last 07 years. 1,253 Bank Branches, 1,264 ATMs and 16,808 Banking Correspondents have also been established in 30 most LWE Affected Districts in the last 07 years.

Further, to fill critical gaps in Public Infrastructure & Services in Most LWE Affected Districts, funds are provided to the Most LWE Affected Districts under Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme. Rs. 3,085 crore has been released to the States under the scheme during the last 05 years.

On security front, the Central Government supports the LWE affected States by providing Central Armed Police Forces battalions, training, funds for modernization of State police forces, equipment & arms, sharing of intelligence, construction of Fortified Police Stations etc. The Central Government also provides funds for capacity building of the LWE affected States, under various scheme like Security Related Expenditure (SRE) and Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS). Rs. 1,623 crore has been released to the LWE affected States under the SRE scheme during the last 05 years. Under the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), projects worth Rs. 371 crore for strengthening Special Forces (SF) and Special Intelligence Branches (SIB) and for 250 Fortified Police Stations (FPS) worth Rs. 620 crore in vulnerable LWE affected areas have been approved since 2017. Apart from this, in the previous   SIS/FPS   scheme,   the   Central   Government released more than Rs.1,180 crore for construction of 400 FPS and upgradation of police infrastructure in the States.

Steadfast implementation of the National Policy and Action Plan to Address LWE has resulted in consistent decline of LWE violence and its geographical spread. Incidents of LWE violence have reduced by 77 percent from all time high of 2,258 in 2009 to 509 in 2021. Similarly, resultant deaths (Civilians+ Security Forces) have reduced by 85 percent from all time high of 1,005 in 2010 to 147 in 2021. The number of Districts reporting LWE violence has also reduced by 48% from 96 in 2010 to 46 in 2021.

27-Jul-2021: Naxal Attacks

There has been a decrease in the Naxal activities/ Left Wing Extremism (LWE) activities in the country in last three years.

During a joint operation launched by the State Police and Para Military  Forces,  22  Security  Forces  Personnel  (08  from  CRPF  and  14 from Police) were killed in exchange of fire with Left Wing Extremists in the area of PS Jagargunda, Sukma, Chhattisgarh on 03 April 2021. Inputs indicate that some LWEs were also killed in this encounter. However, the biggest attack by Left Wing Extremists on Security Forces happened on 06 April 2010 in which 75 Security Forces were martyred in District Dantewada, Chhattisgarh.

To combat the LWE menace, the Government of India has formulated National Policy and Action Plan in 2015, which consists of a multi-pronged approach comprising security measures, development initiatives and ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities. MHA is supporting the State Governments extensively by way of deployment of CAPF Battalions, provision of helicopters and UAVs and sanction of India Reserve Battalions (IRBs)/ Special India Reserve Battalions (SIRBs). Funds are also provided under Modernization of Police Force (MPF), Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme and Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS) for modernization and training of State Police. For development of LWE Affected States, Government of India (GoI) has taken several developmental initiatives which include sanction of 14630 Kilometers of road out of which 9164 (63%) have already been constructed under various schemes.   To  improve mobile connectivity in LWE affected districts, 2343 New Mobile Towers have been installed and further sanction has been accorded for installation of 4072 additional towers.  For financial inclusion of people in LWE affected districts, 1236 Bank Branches, 1077 ATMs and 14230 Banking Correspondents have been institutionalised. Under Special Central Assistance (SCA) Scheme for further impetus to development in the most affected districts, Rs 2598.24 Crore has been released to the LWE affected States. Resolute implementation of National Policy and Action Plan has resulted in consistent decline in the LWE violence and its geographical spread.

22-Mar-2020: PM condemns the Maoist attack in Sukma, Chhattisgarh

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi strongly condemned the Maoist attack in Sukma, Chhattisgarh. He paid tribute to the security personnel martyred in the attack and in a tweet he wrote, “Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for a quick recovery of those injured.”

18-Mar-2020: Consistent decline in Left Wing Extremism related violence in the country during last five years

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, in a written replies to questions regarding measures taken by government to tackle Naxal Violence, in Rajya Sabha today, said that steadfast implementation of the National Policy and Action Plan - 2015 has resulted in consistent decline in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) related violence in the country during last five years. In 2019, the number of LWE related incidents have reduced by over 38% in comparison to 2014.

The Minister informed the House that large, mini and micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been deployed in support of anti-Left Wing Extremist operations. Further, the number of Security Force (SF) personnel killed in the violence has reduced from 317 in 2009 to 52 in 2019. Number of Security Force (SF) personnel and Left Wing Extremists killed in LWE related incidents during last five years are as under:-

8-May-2017: Review Meeting of Left Wing Extremism affected States

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh presided over the Review Meeting of Left Wing Extremism affected States.

The meeting was convened to jointly understand the different aspects of Left Wing Extremism with the 10 affected States, so that Left Wing Extremism can be countered with full force and competence. To discuss and work out an integrated strategy of Security and by giving impetus to Development in the 35 worst affected districts, the LWE influence can be eliminated.

The whole country is agitated with the martyrdom of 25 CRPF personnel in the incident of April 24, 2017 in Burkapal, Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. In such situations, the challenge before us is to maintain focus and move towards our goal with speed, in a planned manner. 

India is the largest democracy in the world. However, Left Wing Extremism desires to weaken and make the roots of democracy hollow. In order to free India from the influence of LWE that encourage violence and killing, it is necessary that we all should think and work in this direction.

The fight against Left Wing Extremism is a coordinated battle on security and development fronts that has to be fought to finish and won.

12000 citizens of our country have lost their lives in violent activities of the Left Wing Extremists. Out of these 12000 people, 2700 are jawans of the Security Forces and the remaining 9300 are innocent and simple common people who are not guilty.

The anti-development Left Wing Extremism not only target the Security Forces but also public property like roads, culverts, railway tracks, electricity and telephone towers, hospitals, schools, aanganwadis and panchayat bhawans etc., that are created by the Government for benefit of the common man.

It is evident from the destruction caused by the Left Wing Extremists that they do not want people to get facilities and access to the development, in the remote and inaccessible areas, because these facilities provide the path of economic and social progress, to the local people. It also joins them to the mainstream of the nation. The cancer of LWE flourishes in poverty or backwardness. Therefore, the LWE strategy is to ensure that the people of this area stay without electricity, without road, without education, so that the vested interest of the Left Wing Extremists continues unabated.

Solution SAMADHAN      

The solution to the LWE problem is not possible with any silver bullet. There is no short-cut for it. For this short term, medium term and long term policies need to be formulated at different levels. There is need to find a solution for this problem and the strategy is available and encompassed in the word ‘SAMADHAN’ which means-

1. S- Smart Leadership

2. A- Aggressive Strategy

3. M- Motivation and Training

4. A- Actionable Intelligence

5. D- Dashboard Based KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and KRAs (Key Result Areas)

6. H- Harnessing Technology

7. A- Action plan for each Theatre

8. N- No access to Financing

9/11 incident was not a "failure of intelligence but the failure of Imagination". Therefore, the 'Samadhan' which we have discussed today has inbuilt potential for imagination. We have to work on imaginative thinking on the whole situation so that we can "Out Think" and "Out Manoeuvre"  the LWE.

 We have come a long way in defeating the fight with Left Wing Extremists. In the remote areas, our young men are constantly working for the development and protection of the area endangering their lives. In the yagya for the security of the country many soldiers have been martyred. I am convinced that their martyrdom will not go in vain. That day is not far when this mindless violence will be completely finished and once again the atmosphere of peace and prosperity will prevail and people will rapidly join the main stream along with enjoying the fruits of development.

Now I would like to also mention the ongoing Security related Assistance given to the State Governments by the Government of India. Under this, 118 Battalions of CAPF have been deployed in the States. Besides, States have been given the sanction for IR Battalions and SIRB to strengthen the security Apparatus of the States. 10 CoBRA Battalions have been deployed, in addition to handle this kind of LWE issues.

In the last few years, the Ministry of Home Affairs has assisted the States through various schemes for Capacity Building. Under the SRE Scheme, reimbursement of security related expenses, such as ex-gratia, transportation, training, honorarium for SPOs etc., was done by the Central Government in 106 districts of 10 States. In the financial year 2016-17, the Home Ministry has reimbursed Rs 210 crore.

Under the Special Infrastructure Scheme, 122.13 crores was given to strengthen the special forces of 6 States. Apart from this, a sum of 24 crores was provided for setting up 16 CIAT schools in 6 States. More than 4000 police personnel are being trained every year by Army and Greyhounds.

Similarly, under the Fortified Police Station Scheme, the Central Government has made available Rs. 624 crores to the States for the construction of 400 Fortified Police Stations in 10 States.

LWE Affected States have been sanctioned 56 IRB and 10 SIRB. States have been given these sanctions to increase their force resources. The SIRB is a major step towards providing security for the State's infrastructure projects, especially in these sensitive areas. But now 20 IR Battalion and 06 SIRB are yet to be raised with both the security and engineering components. In addition, engineering components of 02 SIRBs are pending.

The Home Ministry has provided support to security forces for other facilities such as Helicopters, UAVs etc. From time to time, the amount required for the CRPF is being provided by the GOI for the basic facilities, due to lack of resources of the State Governments.

We assure the States that we will continue to provide full support to them for their capacity building and training needs. Intelligence sharing and deployment of Central security forces will continue as per requirement. But the States must take initiative to conduct Operations and use Resources optimally.