Why this matters

linked to Left Wing Extremism has fallen for more than a decade. Districts that once reported frequent attacks have reduced sharply, police stations facing incidents are a fraction of earlier peaks, and annual deaths have come down from very high numbers in 2010 to far lower figures recently. The movement’s space is shrinking due to steady security presence, better roads and mobile connectivity, welfare delivery, and a clear path for surrender-cum-rehabilitation. This is the right moment to close the chapter through dignity, law, and development.

What changed on the ground

• Loss of safe havens: All-weather roads, bridges, and communication towers have opened interior belts in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
• Better state presence: More police camps, fortified stations, and joint operations have cut the ability to move and regroup.
• Visible public services: Schools, health centres, bank accounts, ration delivery and direct transfers now reach many villages that were once off the map.
• Community confidence: Higher voter turnout and village planning exercises show that citizens prefer forums of consent over violence.

The policy architecture behind the turnaround

• National Policy and Action Plan to address Left Wing Extremism (2015): A multi-pronged template that combines firm law-and-order with development, protection of tribal rights, and citizen outreach.
• Security Related Expenditure scheme and Special Infrastructure Scheme: Central support for training, equipment, vehicles, communication gear and fortified police stations; strengthening state special forces.
• Special Central Assistance for the most affected districts: Flexible funds for health, education, skill centres, tele-connectivity, solar power and small infrastructure that remove daily hardships.
• Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (2016): Thousands of kilometres of roads and bridges to link markets, services and emergency response.
• Aspirational Districts Programme: Human development push in several former strongholds through time-bound targets and district-level problem solving.
• Rights and justice track: Implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 aims to protect land and community resource rights, reduce exploitation and build trust.
• Surrender-cum-rehabilitation policies (Union and States): One-time financial assistance, monthly stipend, skill training, education support and legal relief for those who give up arms.

Why laying down arms makes sense now

• The movement is at its weakest in years: Leadership losses, internal distrust, and shrinking ground support have reduced both capacity and influence.
• Citizens see real gains: Roads, phones, pensions, scholarships, hostels and health insurance make the state visible; people want services to keep improving.
• A humane exit is available: Surrender policies are clearer and quicker; many former cadres now run small businesses or work in public programmes.
• Violence isolates communities: Extortion and intimidation block education and health access, and bring more security checks that hurt daily life.

What must continue

1. Keep the 2015 Plan’s balance: Strong but lawful policing with zero tolerance for excesses, plus relentless delivery of rights and entitlements.
2. Finish the last mile of development: Complete road packages, mobile coverage, bank access and safe hostels for students in interior hamlets.
3. Protect tribal livelihoods and culture: Fast, fair decisions under the Forest Rights Act; consent and benefit-sharing in mining and forest projects; grievance redress close to villages.
4. Make surrender the easiest choice: Safe reception, time-bound verification, quick stipend release, skill training, and family resettlement support.
5. Invest in youth pathways: Residential schools, sports facilities, local recruitment for health and education workers, and coaching for public jobs.
6. Sustain justice and reconciliation: Speedy trials for serious crimes, victim support, and community dialogues to prevent reprisals.

Key terms

• Left Wing Extremism: an armed movement seeking political change through violence.
• National Policy and Action Plan (2015): the Union Government’s whole-of-government approach combining security, development and rights.
• Security Related Expenditure scheme: central reimbursement that helps states meet costs of training, equipment and rehabilitation.
• Special Central Assistance: flexible development funds for the most affected districts.
• Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas: special all-weather roads and bridges in interior belts.
• Forest Rights Act, 2006 and Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996: laws that recognise tribal land and community resource rights and strengthen self-governance.
• Surrender-cum-rehabilitation: a structured package that enables militants to give up arms and rebuild their lives.

Exam hook

Key takeaways

• The map and intensity of Left Wing Extremism have narrowed due to a combined strategy: security readiness, targeted development, road and telecom expansion, rights protection and a humane exit route.
• Staying the course—finishing last-mile services, safeguarding tribal rights, and speeding rehabilitation—can lock in peace.

UPSC Mains (150 words)
“Explain how the 2015 National Policy and Action Plan, security support schemes, Special Central Assistance and the Road Connectivity Project have reduced Left Wing Extremism. Suggest two practical steps that can make surrender-cum-rehabilitation more attractive than continued violence.”

UPSC Prelims (MCQ)
Which pairs are correctly matched?

1. Security Related Expenditure scheme — Central reimbursement to states for policing and rehabilitation costs
   
2. Special Central Assistance — Flexible funds for essential public services in the most affected districts
   
3. Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas — All-weather roads and bridges in interior belts
   Answer: 1, 2 and 3
   

One-line wrap
With violence down and development up, the humane and rational choice is clear: lay down arms, return to civic life, and let elected local bodies shape the future.