From Red to Growth Corridor

Subhashis Mittra

India’s multi-pronged strategy against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) has significantly weakened the insurgency, both territorially and operationally. The government’s focus on a blend of security, development, and rights-based empowerment has transformed the landscape in previously affected areas. With sustained political will, administrative commitment, and people’s participation, the vision of a LWE-free India is closer than before.

Rooted in socio-economic inequalities and fuelled by Maoist ideology, LWE has historically affected some of the most remote, underdeveloped, and tribal-dominated regions of the country. The movement has aimed to undermine the Indian state through armed rebellion and parallel governance structures, particularly targeting security forces, public infrastructure, and democratic institutions. Originating from the Naxalbari movement of 1967 in West Bengal, it spread primarily across the ‘Red Corridor’, affecting states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Maoist insurgents claim to fight for the rights of the marginalised, particularly tribal communities, but their methods include armed violence, extortion, destruction of infrastructure, and recruitment of children and civilians.

However, in recent years, India’s multidimensional counter-LWE strategy—combining security enforcement, inclusive development, and community engagement—has delivered significant success. The movement has been systematically weakened, violence has drastically declined, and many LWE-affected districts are being reintegrated into the national mainstream. The government of India is committed to eliminate LWE by 31 March 2026, as it is seen as the biggest obstacle in the development of remote areas and tribal villages, preventing education, healthcare, connectivity, banking, and postal services from reaching these villages.

The number of LWE affected districts reduced from 126 to 90 in April 2018, 70 in July 2021 and further to 38 in April 2024. Out of total Naxalism-affected districts, number of ‘most affected districts’ has been reduced from 12 to 6, which include four districts from Chhattisgarh (Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, and Sukma), one from Jharkhand (West Singhbhum), and one from Maharashtra (Gadchiroli). Similarly, out of the total 38 affected districts, the number of districts of concern, where additional resources need to be intensively provided beyond the severely affected districts, has reduced from nine to six.

These six districts are: Andhra Pradesh (Alluri Sitarama Raju), Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat), Odisha (Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Malkangiri), and Telangana (Bhadradri-Kothagudem). Due to persistent action against Naxalism, number of ‘other LWE-affected districts’ has also decreased from 17 to 6. These include districts from Chhattisgarh (Dantewada, Gariaband, and Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki), Jharkhand (Latehar), Odisha (Nuapada), and Telangana (Mulugu). In the last 10 years, over 8,000 ultras have abandoned the path of violence, and consequently, the number of LWE-affected districts has reduced to fewer than 20.

The most affected districts and districts of concern are given financial assistance of Rs 30 crore and Rs 10 crore, respectively, by the government of India under a special scheme, special central assistance (SCA), to fill the gaps in public infrastructure. Apart from this, special projects are also provided for these districts as per the need.

Incidents of violence by LWE, which reached its highest level of 1,936 in 2010, have reduced to 374 in 2024 i.e., a reduction of 81 per cent. The total number of deaths (civilians + security forces) has also reduced by 85 per cent during this period from 1,005 in 2010 to 150 in 2024.

Commenting on India’s decisive battle against LWE, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “It is true that Maoist violence had stalled the progress of many districts in central and eastern India. That is why in 2015, our government formulated a comprehensive ‘National Policy and Action Plan’ to eradicate Maoist violence. Along with zero tolerance towards violence, we have also focused on a massive push to infrastructure and social empowerment to bring a positive change in the lives of the poor people in these regions.”

The government of India has adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards LWE and with 100 per cent implementation of government schemes, it seeks to fully develop the LWE-affected areas. The government had laid down two rules of law to fight LWE.