Synopsis
In 2024, security forces have killed 237 LWE cadres and seen 723 surrenders with 812 arrests. Union Home Minister Amit Shah credited offensive operations for reducing LWE-affected districts to 38 and emphasized the improved security enabled high voter turnout in Maoist-hit regions.
AgenciesA total of 237 left-wing extremism (LWE) cadres including women have been killed so far in 2024 in operations conducted by security forces. According to the home ministry, 723 LWE cadres have surrendered and 812 have been arrested. The number of LWE-affected districts has come down to 38 districts across ten states from 120 districts earlier.
Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday held a detailed security review and said that security forces are carrying out “offensive operations” instead of defensive operations against Maoists and that they have achieved big successes in recent times. Addressing the chief ministers and senior officials of the LWE-affected states, Shah said that due to the improved security situation, high voter turnout–up to 70 per cent–was witnessed in the Maoist-hit region in the Lok Sabha polls.
The region comprises Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Bihar and Jharkhand CMs were not present during the meeting and had sent their representatives.
Shah said that for the first time in 30 years, the number of casualties due to LWE was below 100 in 2022. He said that more than 13,000 people from the Northeast, Kashmir and LWE-affected areas have renounced violence and joined the mainstream.
He added that from 2014 to 2024, there has been a substantial decline in Maoist-related incidents.
“Top 14 Naxal leaders have been neutralised, and the government welfare schemes have been better implemented to reach to the last man in the queue. Areas like Buddha Pahad and Chakarbandha have been completely free from the grip of Naxalism. Eighty-five per cent of the LWE cadre strength in Chhattisgarh has been eliminated, and now the need is to deliver a final blow to Naxalism,” Shah said.
Since 2019, more than 194 camps have been established annually, leading to significant success, he said.
“The security vacuum was filled through 45 police stations, strengthening state intelligence branches and the excellent performance of state special forces. The provision of helicopters has drastically reduced the number of casualties among our troops. Earlier, there were only two helicopters deployed for the service of the forces, but today, 12 helicopters, six from BSF and six from the Air Force, are operational,” he said.
Between 2004 and 2014, 16,463 incidents of violence were recorded, The number fell to 7,700 in the next decade, a reduction of about 53 per cent, according to the home minister. Similarly, deaths of civilians and security forces reduced by 70 per cent, with the number of districts reporting violence plunging to 16 from 96.
