Chhattisgarh Registers 47 % Decline in Maoists Violence

     Raipur, February 11, 2025: Despite there is a decline in Maoists violence in Chhattisgarh, but the state had witnessed 267 Maoists related violence last year when the all India figure was 486 during the same period.

     In Chhattisgarh, violence perpetrated by left wing extremists (LWE) have reduced by 47 per cent in 2024 in comparison to the high levels of 2010. In the year 2010 the total violence was 499 compared to 267 last year (2024), Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, said.

     The resultant deaths (Civilians + Security Forces) have also reduced by 64 per cent during the same period, he said adding in the year 2010 the figure was 343 whereas last year (2024) it was 122, he said.

     The year-wise details of incidents of LWE violence during last five years are as follows

LWE violence incidents in the past 5 Years

     Resolute implementation of the ‘National Policy and Action Plan’ to Address Left Wing Extremism (LWE) both by the Centre and the States has resulted in a consistent decline in LWE both in terms of geographical spread and violence, the Minister said.

     There has been a progressive decline in the number of districts affected by LWE also.

     In view of the continuously improving situation, three review of LWE affected districts have been undertaken in the last six years with reduction from 126 to 90 districts in April 2018, further to 70 in July 2021 and then to 38 in April 2024, Rai said.

     Violence perpetrated by LWE have reduced by 81 per cent in 2024 (374) in comparison to the high levels of 1936 in the year 2010.

     The resultant deaths (Civilians + Security Forces) have also reduced by 85 per cent during the same period, as in the year 2024 the figure was 150 where as in the year 2010 the figure was 1005, the Minister said

     To address the LWE problem holistically, a “National Policy and Action Plan” to address LWE was approved in 2015. It envisages a multi- prolonged strategy involving security related measures, development interventions, ensuing rights and entitlements of local communities among others, the Minister said.

     While on security front, the Government of India (GoI) assists the LWE affected States by providing Central Armed Police battalions, training and funds for modernization of State police forces, equipment and arms, sharing of intelligence, construction of Fortified Police Stations etc.

     On the development side, apart from flagship schemes, the Centre has taken several specific initiatives in LWE affected States, with special thrust on expansion of road network, improving telecommunication connectivity, skilling and financial inclusion, he said.

     Under Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme funds are provided to LWE affected states for capacity building through provisions of ex-gratia to the family of civilian/Security Forces killed in LWE violence, training and operational needs of Security Forces, rehabilitation of surrendered LWE cadres, community policing, and compensation to Security Force personnel/civilians for property damage by LWE etc.

     Under this scheme Rs 1925.83 crore have been released to all LWE affected States during last 5 years (between 2019-20 to till date). This includes Rs. 829.80 Crore for Chhattisgarh, he said.

     Strengthening of Special Forces, Special Intelligence Branches (SIBs) and District Police is undertaken through Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS).

     Under this scheme Rs. 394.31 crore have been released to all LWE affected States during last 5 years (between 2019-20 to till date). This includes Rs. 85.42 Crore for Chhattisgarh. 702 Fortified Police Stations (FPSs) including 147 for Chhattisgarh have been sanctioned for LWE affected states. Of these, 612 FPSs, including 125 in Chhattisgarh have been constructed, Rai said.

     To give further impetus for development in most LWE affected districts, funds are provided to the states under Special Central Assistance (SCA) Scheme to fill critical gaps in public infrastructure and services.

     Under this scheme Rs. 2384.17 crore have been released to all LWE affected States during last 5 years (between 2019-20 to till date). This includes Rs. 773.62 Crore for Chhattisgarh, he said.

     Further, Rs. 654.84 crore have been given to Central Agencies during the last 05 years (2019-20 to till date) for helicopters and addressing critical infrastructure in security camps in LWE affected areas, under Assistance to Central Agencies for LWE Management (ACALWEM) Scheme, the Minister said.

     The Minister also said on development front, specific initiatives have been taken in Chhattisgarh like

     For expansion of road network, 4046 km roads have been constructed so far in LWE affected areas.

     To   improve telecom connectivity, 1333 towers have been commissioned.

     For financial inclusion of the local population in the LWE affected districts, 1214 Post Offices have been opened. Further, 297 Bank Branches and 268 ATMs have been opened.

     For skill development, 09 ITIs and 14 Skill Development Centers (SDCs) have been made functional.

     For quality education of tribals in LWE affected districts, 45 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) have been made functional.

     In addition, under Civic Action Programme, Central Armed Police Forces (CRPF, BSF, SSB and ITBP) deployed in LWE affected areas undertake various civic activities for welfare of the locals and to wean away the youth from the influence of the Maoists.

     Tribal Youth Exchange Programs (TYEPs) are also being organized through Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) for integration of tribal youth of LWE affected districts with National mainstream, the Minister added.