Relevance: GS Paper III (Internal security — Left-Wing Extremism; links between development and extremism) | Source: The Hindu
Marking the symbolic end of the ‘Naxal Mukt Bharat’ (Naxal-Free India) mission (the 31 March deadline), the Union Home Minister visited Bastar (Chhattisgarh) and said India is now ‘free from Naxalism’ — calling it a win of ideas, not just guns.
1. What happened
- Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)/Maoism is an armed movement that wants to overthrow the state. Its roots lie in land, forest and tribal-development problems.
- Timeline: Naxalbari (1967); CPI (Maoist) formed in 2004; called the ‘biggest internal security threat’ (2006); big attacks — Tadmetla (2010, 76 jawans) and Jheeram Ghati (2013).
- Salwa Judum (2005), a state-backed civilian militia, was banned by the Supreme Court in 2011 (Nandini Sundar case).
2. Why it is not fully over
- Development followed security: roads, banks, phones and water are reaching Bastar; about 200 camps are turning into service and livelihood centres; nearly 3,000 Naxals surrendered.
- But an idea can outlive a defeat — the fight for ‘hearts and minds’ continues.
- Concerns remain over encounter killings, displacement, and the real root — the development gap.
UPSC Value Box
| Term / Provision / Body | Simple meaning & how it is used |
| Left-Wing Extremism | The Maoist armed movement; tracked by the Home Ministry’s LWE Division. |
| Salwa Judum | A state-backed anti-Maoist militia (2005); the Supreme Court declared it illegal in 2011. |
| SAMADHAN | The Home Ministry’s anti-Naxal strategy (smart leadership, aggressive action, intelligence, etc.). |
| Fifth Schedule / PESA | Constitutional protection and self-rule for tribals in Scheduled Areas — key to fixing root causes. |
3. The way forward
- Truly implement PESA and the Forest Rights Act, with jobs, schools and health.
- Rehabilitate surrendered cadres; ensure justice and reconciliation.
- Move from a security-led to a governance-led peace, while protecting people’s rights.
Conclusion: Land cleared of guns is not yet free of grievance. Lasting peace in Bastar will come only when security gains turn into rights, development and dignity for tribal citizens.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
“The fall of Left-Wing Extremism is as much a development success as a security one.” Critically examine. (15 marks, 250 words)
Answer hints:
- Intro: The symbolic “Naxal Mukt Bharat” declaration from Bastar.
- Body: Security action plus development (camps to service centres), root causes, surviving ideology, rights worries.
- Value-add: Salwa Judum & the 2011 SC ruling, SAMADHAN, PESA, Forest Rights Act, Fifth Schedule.
- Conclusion: A governance-led, rights-based peace lasts longest.
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