Union Home Minister Amit Shah has stated that Left Wing Extremism (LWE) will be completely eradicated from the country within two years. During a meeting to assess the security situation in LWE-affected states, Shah emphasized that 2022 witnessed the lowest number of violent incidents and deaths in Naxal-hit areas in the past four decades. Shah expressed firm determination to eradicate Naxalism, which he described as a curse to humanity.
Officials have reported a 77% decrease in violent incidents in Naxal-affected states in 2022 compared to the peak in 2010. The review meeting was attended by the chief ministers of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Jharkhand, with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also participating. Representatives from Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh were also present. Over the past five years, the security situation regarding LWE has significantly improved across the country. In 2015, the central government approved the ‘National Policy and Action Plan to address LWE’, which includes a comprehensive approach involving security measures, development initiatives, and safeguarding the rights and entitlements of local communities.
The consistent implementation of this policy has resulted in a continuous decline in LWE violence nationwide. The number of deaths among security forces and civilians due to LWE violence has also decreased by 90% in 2022 compared to the peak in 2010. According to data from the Ministry of Home Affairs, there were 17,679 LWE-related incidents and 6,984 deaths between 2004 and 2014. In contrast, from 2014 to June 2023, there have been 7,649 LWE-related incidents and 2,020 deaths.
In summary, Amit Shah has expressed confidence in eliminating Left Wing Extremism from the country within two years. The meeting to assess the security situation in LWE-affected states highlighted the significant decrease in violent incidents and deaths in Naxal-hit areas. The implementation of the ‘National Policy and Action Plan to address LWE’ has played a crucial role in improving the security situation and reducing LWE violence.
