Eradication of Left Wing Extremism

Giving a reply to a Written Question on ‘Eradication of Left Wing Extremism’ in the Rajya Sabha today, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai said, that to address the menace of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) holistically, Government  of  India  (GoI)  approved a ‘National  Policy  and Action Plan to address LWE’ in 2015. This policy envisages a multi-pronged strategy involving security related measures, development interventions, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities, etc.

Steadfast implementation of this policy has resulted in consistent decline in violence in LWE affected areas. Incidents of LWE violence have reduced by 77% from high of 2213 in 2010 to 509 in 2021, Shri Rai added.

Similarly, resultant deaths (Civilians + Security Forces) have reduced by 85% from high of 1005 in 2010 to 147 in 2021. State-wise details of LWE violence from 2019 to 2022 as placed below.

The details of security force personnel (SF) killed in LWE incidents in last three years, State-wise are as under:-

On social and economic development front, Shri Rai added that the Ministry of Home Affairs works   in   close    coordination    with    other    Ministries    for    optimum implementation of the flagship schemes of those Ministries in LWE affected areas. Apart from the flagship schemes of various ministries, specific schemes have also been implemented for LWE affected areas, wherein special emphasis has been given on expansion of road network, improving telecommunications, educational empowerment and financial inclusion in LWE affected areas.

More than 11,600 km roads have been constructed in LWE affected areas under specific schemes.

For improving telecommunication connectivity, 2,343 mobile towers have been installed and work order issued for another 2,542.

Rs 3105 crore has been released to the Most LWE Affected Districts under ‘Special Central Assistance (SCA)’ scheme to fill critical gaps in public infrastructure and services. Under this scheme, various types of projects have been undertaken like road repair, improvement in health infrastructure, education related projects, rural infrastructure projects etc.

Further towards educational empowerment, 47 Industrial Training Institutes and 68 Skill Development Centers have been approved under “Skill Development Scheme in 47 Districts affected by LWE”.

For financial inclusion, 1,258 Bank Branches, 1,348 ATMs and 22,202 Banking Correspondents have been established in Most LWE Affected Districts and 4,903 Post Offices have been opened in 90 LWE affected districts in the last seven years.

Details of schemes state wise are given below.

1.         Road Requirement Plan-I (RRP-I) in LWE Affected Areas. This Scheme is being implemented through Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for improving road connectivity in LWE affected areas. 5,361 km roads were sanctioned at an estimated cost of ₹ 8,585 crore. Of these, 5,065 km roads have been constructed. State-wise details are given below:-

2.         Road Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas (RCPLWEA). This Scheme is being implemented through Ministry of Rural Development. 12,100 km roads with an estimated cost of Rs 12,021 crore have been sanctioned. Of these 6,561 km of road have been completed. State-wise details are given below:-

3.         Skill Development Scheme in 47 districts affected by LWE:  This scheme envisages creation of Skill Development infrastructure in LWE affected districts. Initially, 34 districts were covered with 34 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) (one ITI per district) and 68 Skill Development Centers (SDCs) (2 SDCs per district). In 2016, 13 new ITIs in 13 new districts were added to cover all the then Most affected districts totaling to 47 ITIs & 68 SDCs, with an estimated cost of Rs 407.85 crore. Of these 43 ITIs and 38 SDCs are functional.  State-wise details are given below:-

4.         Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs). This scheme is being implemented through Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Out of the total 245 EMRSs sanctioned for LWE affected areas,103 EMRSs have been sanctioned during the last 3 years itself in comparison to 142 sanctioned during the 21-year period prior to that. Till date,245 EMRSs have been sanctioned in 90erstwhile (till June 2021) LWE affected districts. State-wise details are given below:

5.         Mobile Connectivity Project in LWE Affected Districts. 2,343 mobile towers were installed under Phase-I of this Project with an expenditure of Rs.4080.78 crore. In April 2022, Union Cabinet approved up-gradation of these 2G sites to 4G. Work for upgradation has been awarded in November 2022. Under Phase-II of this Project, work order for installation of 2542 mobile towers has also been issued. State Wise details are as under:-

6.         Banking Outlets and Post Office In Most LWE Affected Districts. Details of Banking Outlets and Post Offices opened in LWE affected districts are as under:-

POST OFFICES IN 32 LWE AFFECTED DISTRICTS

7.         SCA Scheme. Details of SCA funds allotted to States are as under:-

As per Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are state subjects and therefore, it is the primary duty of the State Governments to prevent, detect, register and investigate crime and prosecute the criminals.  Combined efforts of the Government of India and State Governments have resulted in significant improvement in security situation in LWE affected states. Provisions of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) are being applied wherever required.  Critical UAPA cases are also being handed over to National Investigation Agency (NIA) for investigation as per requirement, Shri Rai added.

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