LWE refers to violent insurgency driven by Maoist or Naxalite ideologies, with an objective of overthrowing the government and establishing a communist society.
Naxalism issue
Social Issues Driving Naxalism
Jal, Jungle, Jameen – Forced labour, expropriation of resources by outsiders, evasion of land ceiling laws, denial of land claims
Maoist ideology of armed class struggle, anti-state revolution, and redistribution of resources appeals to sections alienated by inequality and exclusion. Eg- narrative of a “people’s war.”
Land Displacement – Eg- Mining-induced displacement in Jharkhand’s coal belt (Ramgarh, Hazaribagh).
Historical Socio-Economic Deprivation– Eg- LWE districts like Malkangiri, Sukma have some of the lowest HDI indicators.
Economic Issues Driving Naxalism
Unemployment & Lack of Livelihood Options- Eg- Jharkhand’s rural districts have among the highest youth unemployment in Eastern India.
Resource Extraction without benefit sharing- Mining projects with low local hiring.
Absence of Market Linkages – Eg- Bamboo and lac sold at low prices.
Developmental Issues Driving Naxalism
Governance Vacuum – poor service delivery and law enforcement.
Poor Infrastructure – Lack of roads, telecom, electricity, and markets leaves communities isolated.
Low Human Development Indicators – High malnutrition, low literacy, and inadequate health facilities.
Poor implementation of welfare schemes – Leakages, corruption, and absence of monitoring. Eg- Nearly 15% of forest and community land claims under the FRA are pending.
Emerging issues
Urban Front Strategy – Urban Naxals aim to gain legal and logistical support from cities-referred to as the “.”
Tactical Asymmetry and “Contactless” Warfare – Eg- use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and drones
Dandakaranya region along Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra-Odisha remains a key guerrilla base due to its difficult terrain.
Recruitment of Minors and Vulnerable Youth – Eg- Reports of child soldiers in southern Bastar.
Inter-State Coordination Challenges in intelligence sharing and joint operations.
Over 78,000 hectares of forest land was approved for diversion across India for non-forest usage in the last four years.
Multilayered strategy
Policy level
Implement the “National Policy and Action Plan (2015)” in timely manner
Accelerate Development – Road Requirement Plan (RRP-I), mobile towers, banking, health centres, PDS reforms in LWE belts.
Strengthening PESA –
real-time digital dashboards for fund utilization to Gram Sabhas
“Bottom-Up” planning model – from “state imposition” to “participatory development”
Economic development
“Forest-to-Market” Value Chain development through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs)
Promotion of Tribal-Start-up Ecosystem in food processing – Eg- export of products like Mahua and wild honey
Governance level
“The only way to end insurgency is to win the hearts and minds of people through inclusive governance.” – Rajnath Singh
Transparent and Participatory Mining & Resource Management- Eg- share of mineral royalties to local communities through the DMF Funds
Technology for Governance – Use GIS mapping, drones, and e-governance platforms for service delivery and monitoring.
Transparency and accountability in project implementation to address Politician-bureaucrat-corporate nexus (vohra committee)
Security level
Strengthen Intelligence & Tech-Enabled Policing – Use of drones, satellite mapping, GPS-based tracking, communication intercept tools.
Capacity building – Eg- fortified police stations, all-terrain vehicles for deep forest movement.
Inter-State Coordination – Coordination between Chhattisgarh-Odisha-Jharkhand-Maharashtra in tri-junction zones.
Community Policing – Initiatives like Jan Maitri, sports outreach, and anti-propaganda programmes.