India’s post-LWE future, from red sun to new dawn

UPSC Syllabus: Gs Paper 3- Internal security

Introduction

India’s Left Wing Extremism (LWE) journey reflects a shift from deep internal security crisis to a phase of relative stability. In 2009, it was seen as the gravest threat, with violence peaking in 2010 and weakening governance across large regions. By 2026, the decline of Maoist insurgency marks a major turning point. This transition creates an opportunity where the focus must move from security control to governance credibility, dignity, and sustained development in affected regions.

Background of Left Wing Extremism Regions

1. Nature of LWE challenge: LWE emerged as a major internal security threat rooted in inequality and underdevelopment, mainly affecting tribal and remote regions across central and eastern India, often called the “red corridor.”
2. Peak of violence and its impact: In 2010, the Dantewada attack killed 76 CRPF personnel, showing the severity of the crisis and the strength of Maoist insurgency.
3. Effect on governance and society: Violence weakened state legitimacy, disrupted governance, and forced people to live under constant fear of both insurgents and security forces.
4. Spread and affected regions: LWE spread across states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, and West Bengal, mainly in forest and tribal areas.
5. Gradual decline of LWE: Violent incidents reduced from 1936 (2010) to 374 (2024), showing an 81% decline, and deaths reduced by 85%, marking strong progress.
6. Reduction in affected districts: LWE-affected districts declined from 126 to fewer than 20, showing the success of sustained efforts.

From Security Gains to Governance Credibility

1. Recognition of threat: Manmohan Singh identified LWE as the most serious internal security threat in 2009, highlighting its scale and intensity.
2. Achievement of security success: Amit Shah declared in 2026 that India is free from Maoist insurgency after years of coordinated efforts.
3. Role of coordinated strategy: Strong political will, Centre-State coordination, and joint planning helped weaken insurgency and restore control.
4. Security as an enabling condition: Security operations created space for development but did not complete the process of transformation.
5. Need for governance credibility: Long-term peace depends on trust, effective administration, and continuous state presence in these regions.
6. Risk of policy withdrawal: As violence reduces, there is a danger that attention and policy focus may also decline, which can weaken gains.

Transformation of Left Wing Extremism Regions

1. Shift to community-centred development: Development is moving from extractive models to community-based strategies that strengthen local participation and ownership.
2. Examples of area-based plans: Regions like Jungle Mahal, Saranda, Budha Pahad, Malkangiri, and Bastar show the importance of sustained and focused interventions.
3. Building local value economies: Focus is on local consumption, attracting investment, and restoring community control over resources.
4. Livelihood diversification: Forest produce systems, agroforestry, MSMEs, and eco-tourism are key to creating stable income sources.
5. Importance of administrative presence: Development requires consistent delivery of services like roads, schools, health care, and banking facilities.
6. Rights-based engagement: People must be treated as rights-bearing citizens, not as beneficiaries, through respectful engagement and listening.
7. Human dimension of conflict: Tribal communities lived between state and insurgents, facing fear, neglect, and delayed access to rights and justice.

Framework for Post-LWE Transformation

1. Focus on dignity and rights: Governance must ensure justice, strong institutions, and equal opportunities, with dignity as the central principle.
2. Peace beyond absence of violence: Reduction in violence alone is not sufficient; lasting peace requires justice, dignity, and trust in everyday governance.
3. Post-LWE as a moral threshold: The present phase demands sustained state presence, as decline in violence should not lead to decline in policy attention and governance focus.
4. Conflict transformation approach: John Paul Lederach highlights that conflict reflects broken relationships that need rebuilding through trust and fairness.
5. Need for structured action plan: A region-specific plan for affected districts should link outcomes with financial support and clear accountability.
6. AIEEEE governance framework: This includes Accountability, Innovation, Evidence, Equity, Empathy, and Efficiency (AIEEEE) to guide policy execution.
7. Importance of convergence: Effective delivery requires coordination of schemes, monitoring systems, and financial provisions at the local level.
8. Justice and trust building: Humane policing, faster case disposal, legal aid, and review of undertrial cases are necessary to build credibility.
9. Youth empowerment: Sports, education, skill development, and women-led enterprises are essential to channel youth aspirations into growth.

Government Initiatives

1. National Policy and Action Plan (2015): A multi-pronged strategy that combines security measures, development programmes, and protection of rights to address Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in a comprehensive way.
2. Security strengthening measures: Deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), creation of 280 new security camps, and formation of Joint Task Forces have improved coordination and operational capacity on the ground.
3. Special Central Assistance (SCA): Financial support is provided to bridge critical gaps in infrastructure, with ₹30 crore for most affected districts and ₹10 crore for districts of concern.
4. Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme: Around ₹3260 crore has been released to support training, operational needs, ex-gratia payments, and rehabilitation of surrendered cadres, strengthening the capacity of states.
5. Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS): About ₹1741 crore has been sanctioned to improve State Intelligence Branches, Special Forces, district police systems, and fortified police stations.
6. Expansion of fortified police stations: The number increased from 66 in 2014 to 612, ensuring stronger and safer security presence in sensitive areas.
7. Road connectivity initiatives: Under schemes like Road Requirement Plan (RRP-I) and Road Connectivity Project for LWE Areas (RCPLWE), 17,589 km of roads were sanctioned, out of which 14,618 km have been completed, improving access and development.
8. Telecom connectivity projects: Through initiatives like Mobile Connectivity Projects (Phase I & II) and 4G saturation programmes, 10,505 mobile towers have been planned and 7,768 installed, improving communication in remote regions.
9. Financial inclusion measures: Establishment of 1007 bank branches, 937 ATMs, and 5731 post offices, along with banking correspondents, has improved access to financial services.
10. Education and skill development: Setting up of 178 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs), 48 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), and 61 Skill Development Centres (SDCs) supports education and employment opportunities.
11. Civic Action Programme (CAP): This programme builds trust between security forces and local communities through welfare activities and direct engagement.

Conclusion

India’s LWE phase has shifted from conflict control to legitimacy building. While violence has reduced, the real challenge is sustaining trust through governance, justice, and dignity. Peace must translate into visible change in people’s lives. The future depends on converting security gains into inclusive development, ensuring these regions become integral to India’s growth story.

Question for practice:

Examine how India’s transition from Left Wing Extremism (LWE) has shifted the focus from security operations to governance credibility, and discuss the key measures required to ensure a sustainable post-LWE transformation.

Source : The Hindu and PIB