DECLINE IN LEFT-WING EXTREMISM
DECLINE IN LEFT-WING EXTREMISM
As per Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, subjects of Police and Public Order are with the State Governments. However, the Government of India (GoI) has been supplementing the efforts of States affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE). To address the LWE problem holistically, a “National Policy and Action Plan to address LWE” was approved in 2015. It envisages a multi-pronged strategy involving security related measures, development interventions, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities etc.
On security front, the GoI assists the LWE affected State Government 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;
Since 2014-15,
On development front, apart from the flagship schemes of Government of India (GoI), several LWE affected areas, specific initiatives have been taken with special thrust on expansion of road network, improving telecommunication connectivity, education, skill development and financial inclusion. A few of these are enumerated below:
To encourage Left Wing Extremists to join the mainstream, States have their own Surrender cum Rehabilitation policies. GoI also support the States in the endeavour through ‘Surrender-cum- Rehabilitation’ Policy and reimburses the expenditure incurred by the LWE affected States on rehabilitation of surrendered cadre. The rehabilitation package inter-alia, includes an immediate grant of Rs. 5 lakhs for higher ranked LWE cadres and Rs.2.5 lakhs for other LWE cadres. In addition, incentives for surrender of weapons/ ammunition are also provided under the Scheme. In addition, provision also exists for imparting training in trade/ vocation of their liking with monthly stipend of Rs. 10000/- for three years. States have also been encouraged to adopt attractive Surrender cum Rehabilitation policies.
The resolute implementation of the policy has resulted in consistent decline in violence and constriction of geographical spread. The LWE related violence incidents and resultant deaths of civilians & Security Forces, have come down from high of 2010 by 81% and 85% respectively in 2024. There has also been a sharp decline in LWE affected districts from 126 in 2013 to 18 districts in April 2025.
As regards to Jharkhand, there has been considerable improvement in LWE scenario. The number of LWE perpetrated violent incidents in Jharkhand reduced by 92% from a high of 742 incidents in 2009 to 69 incidents in 2024. From 1st January, 2024 to 15th July, 2025, 103 LWE related violent incidents were reported in Jharkhand in which 25 LWE cadres were neutralized, 276 were arrested and 32 surrendered. The LWE affected districts in Jharkhand have also reduced from 21 in 2013 to only 02 in 2025. However, 07 districts are categorized as Legacy & Thrust Districts, for continued support to the districts taken out of LWE influence.
Improved law & order and security situation, accompanied by investment in infrastructure has created an enabling environment for enhanced socio-economic development.
This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.